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Updated: May 15, 2026
09:18
Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Interconnections between apoptotic, autophagic and necrotic pathways: implications for cancer therapy development
Mayur V Jain1, Anna M Paczulla, Thomas Klonisch
1Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology, Integrative Regenerative Medicine Center (IGEN), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|January 11, 2013
Summary
Cell death research has evolved beyond apoptosis to include autophagy and necrosis. Understanding these interconnected pathways is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies and treatments for conditions like stroke.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Apoptosis research in the 1990s led to anticancer and anti-ischaemia drugs.
- Initial clinical trials showed unexpected results, suggesting co-effects on other cell death pathways.
- The 'yin-yang' role of autophagy in cell survival and death complicates therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the analysis of cell death beyond apoptosis.
- To explore the interconnectedness of various cell death signaling pathways.
- To relate cell death mechanisms to cancer biology and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular pathways governing autophagy and necrosis (programmed necrosis).
- Focus on interconnected cell death signals and shared processes involving mitochondria (mitophagy, mitoptosis).
- Discussion of key molecular signals (Bcl2-family, p53) and stress-induced cell senescence.
Main Results:
- Cell death is a complex network involving apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, and senescence.
- Mitochondria and key molecular signals play central roles across multiple cell death pathways.
- Interconnectedness of cell death forms is evident in clinical settings, including irradiation-induced mitotic catastrophe.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of interconnected cell death mechanisms is essential for advancing cancer therapy.
- Targeting multiple cell death pathways offers potential for more effective cancer treatments.
- Further research into cell death networks can inform strategies for various clinical conditions.
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