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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

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Death receptor-ligand systems in cancer, cell death, and inflammation

Henning Walczak1

  • 1Centre for Cell Death, Cancer, and Inflammation (CCCI), UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. h.walczak@ucl.ac.uk

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|May 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) discovery led to TNF blockers, revolutionizing inflammatory disease treatment. Further research into TNF and related death receptor-ligand systems offers new cancer therapy insights.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Research
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The discovery of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) initiated significant advancements in biomedical research.
  • TNF is a key cytokine involved in inflammation, cell death, and cancer.
  • TNF blockers have transformed the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the discovery and study of death receptor-ligand systems.
  • To understand the role of TNF and related cytokines in cell death and inflammation.
  • To highlight how these systems inspire novel cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on TNF and death receptor-ligand systems.
  • Analysis of the impact of TNF inhibition on inflammatory diseases.
  • Exploration of the connection between cell death pathways and cancer therapy.

Main Results:

  • TNF blockers have revolutionized treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • TNF, CD95L, and TRAIL are prominent ligands that can induce cell death via death receptors.
  • Death receptor signaling influences both cell death and inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • The study of TNF and death receptor-ligand systems has led to significant therapeutic breakthroughs.
  • These systems are crucial for understanding the interplay between cell death and inflammation.
  • Continued research holds promise for developing innovative cancer therapies.

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