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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
12:17
Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
Published on: August 12, 2018
Evaluation of apoptosis in cytologic specimens
Viktor Shtilbans1, Maoxin Wu, David E Burstein
1Genzyme Genetics, New York, New York, USA.
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|March 16, 2010
Summary
Detecting apoptosis in cancer cells is key. Various methods, including immunocytochemistry, can analyze apoptotic pathways in cytologic samples, aiding in predicting therapeutic response.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dysregulated apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a hallmark of neoplasia.
- Altered apoptosis contributes to therapeutic resistance in cancer.
- Apoptosis is vital for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on detecting apoptotic pathway constituents in cytologic specimens.
- To highlight the applicability of various apoptosis detection methods to cytologic samples.
- To discuss the role of specific apoptotic markers (e.g., p53, bcl-2, survivin) in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on apoptosis detection in cytologic samples.
- Discussion of methods including cytomorphologic evaluation, TUNEL assay, immunocytochemistry, and gene sequence analysis.
- Examination of studies focusing on intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways and key proteins/receptors.
Main Results:
- Virtually all apoptosis detection methods are applicable to cytologic samples, similar to tissue samples.
- Cytologic sampling offers advantages, including repeated sampling before and after therapy.
- Assaying the effect of chemotherapy on apoptosis induction in cytologic samples can predict tumor response.
Conclusions:
- Cytologic specimens are effective for analyzing apoptotic pathways and predicting cancer therapeutic response.
- The detection of apoptotic markers in cytologic samples provides valuable prognostic information.
- Cytologic sampling enables dynamic monitoring of apoptosis induction during cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.