Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
20:16
Detecting Anastasis In Vivo by CaspaseTracker Biosensor
Published on: February 1, 2018
Apoptosis in cancer--an update
S Leena Sankari1, K M K Masthan, N Aravindha Babu
1Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Bharath University, Chennai, India.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|December 19, 2012
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is vital for life. Dysregulation of this process contributes to diseases like cancer, but understanding its mechanisms offers therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Apoptosis is a fundamental biological process crucial for development and organismal survival.
- It involves a regulated cellular self-destruction pathway impacting nuclear and cytoplasmic components.
- Aberrations in apoptosis are implicated in various diseases, including autoimmune disorders, neurodegeneration, and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms underlying apoptosis.
- To explore the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cancer.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of apoptosis mechanisms.
- Analysis of apoptosis's role in disease.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis is a precisely controlled cellular process.
- Disrupted apoptosis pathways are linked to significant pathologies.
- Targeting apoptosis presents promising therapeutic avenues.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of apoptosis mechanisms is key to elucidating disease pathogenesis.
- Modulating apoptosis offers significant potential for novel cancer therapies.
- Further research into apoptosis pathways can unlock new treatment strategies for various diseases.
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.
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...