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Programmed cell removal: a new obstacle in the road to developing cancer
Mark P Chao1, Ravindra Majeti, Irving L Weissman
1Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Institute, Division of Haematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305, USA. mpchao@stanford.edu
Nature Reviews. Cancer
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Cancer cells must evade programmed cell death and programmed cell removal to progress. This article explores how programmed cell removal impacts normal and cancerous cells, relating it to programmed cell death initiation.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular Regulation
- Apoptosis Research
Background:
- Cancer development requires aberrant cells to bypass normal regulatory pathways controlling cell proliferation and migration.
- Evasion of programmed cell death is a critical early step in malignant transformation.
- Recent findings indicate successful cancer clones must also overcome programmed cell removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of programmed cell removal in normal and neoplastic cells.
- To contextualize programmed cell removal within the initiation of programmed cell death.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on programmed cell death and removal.
- Analysis of evidence from mouse and human cancer studies.
Main Results:
- Programmed cell removal is a necessary hurdle for cancer progression, alongside programmed cell death evasion.
- This pathway is crucial for both normal cellular homeostasis and neoplastic cell development.
Conclusions:
- Understanding programmed cell removal is essential for comprehending cancer initiation and progression.
- Programmed cell removal represents a key regulatory mechanism that cancer cells must subvert.
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