Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: May 14, 2021
Targeting the Fas/FasL signaling pathway in cancer therapy
María Villa-Morales1, José Fernández-Piqueras
1Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain.
Introduction:
The Fas/FasL system plays a significant role in tumorigenesis. Research has shown that its impairment in cancer cells may lead to apoptosis resistance and contribute to tumor progression. Thus, the development of effective therapies targeting the Fas/FasL system may play an important role in the fight against cancer.
Areas Covered:
In this review the recent literature on targeting the Fas/FasL system for therapeutic exploitation at different levels is reviewed. Promising pre-clinical approaches and various exceptions are highlighted. The potential of combined therapies is also explored, whereby tumor sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is restored, before an effective targeted therapy is employed.
Expert Opinion:
The success of the Fas/FasL system targeting for therapeutics will require a better understanding of the alterations conferring resistance, in order to use the most appropriate sensitizing chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic agents in combination with effective targeted therapies.
Insights
Targeting the Fas/FasL system is crucial for cancer therapy. Understanding resistance mechanisms is key to developing effective combined treatments that restore apoptosis sensitivity in cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- The Fas/FasL system is integral to tumorigenesis.
- Impaired Fas/FasL signaling in cancer cells can promote apoptosis resistance and tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on targeting the Fas/FasL system for cancer therapy.
- To explore pre-clinical approaches, exceptions, and combined therapy strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Fas/FasL system targeting.
- Analysis of pre-clinical therapeutic approaches and resistance mechanisms.
- Exploration of combined therapy potential to restore apoptosis sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Highlighting promising pre-clinical strategies for Fas/FasL system targeting.
- Identifying various exceptions and challenges in therapeutic exploitation.
- Exploring the potential of combined therapies to sensitize tumors.
Conclusions:
- Effective Fas/FasL targeting requires understanding resistance alterations.
- Combining therapies with appropriate sensitizing agents is crucial.
- Restoring tumor sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is key for successful targeted therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...

