Caspase-mediated programmed cell death pathways as potential therapeutic targets in cancer

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Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death
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Published on: January 20, 2023

X Wen1, Z-Q Lin, B Liu

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Cell Proliferation
|March 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This review details how caspases, key regulators of programmed cell death (PCD), interact with apoptotic mediators and autophagy genes in cancer. It highlights PCD-modulating agents targeting caspases for future cancer drug discovery.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Programmed cell death (PCD) is a vital, genetically controlled process implicated in numerous diseases, especially cancer.
  • The caspase family is central to regulating PCD pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex interactions between caspases and apoptotic mediators in cancer initiation and progression.
  • To explore the cross-talk between caspases and autophagy-related genes (Atgs) in cancer.
  • To present agents targeting caspases for potential cancer drug discovery.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on caspase family roles in cancer.
  • Analysis of interactions with apoptotic mediators: tumor necrosis factor receptors, Bcl-2 family, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, and IAPs.
  • Investigation of caspase cross-talk with autophagy-related genes (Atgs).

Main Results:

  • Caspases are intricately linked with key apoptotic mediators in cancer development.
  • Emerging evidence shows cross-talk between caspases and Atgs in the context of cancer.
  • Several PCD-modulating agents targeting specific caspases (e.g., caspase-3, -8, -9) and their substrates (PARP-1, Beclin-1) have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding caspase-mediated PCD pathways is crucial for cancer research.
  • Targeting caspases and their associated pathways offers promising avenues for novel cancer therapeutics.
  • Further research into caspase-autophagy interactions may yield new drug targets.

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