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Updated: May 6, 2026
Establishing Cell Lines Overexpressing DR3 to Assess the Apoptotic Response to Anti-mitotic Therapeutics
Published on: January 11, 2019
Cell-centric view of apoptosis and apoptotic cell death-inducing antitumoral strategies
Aintzane Apraiz1, Maria Dolores Boyano, Aintzane Asumendi
1Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain. aintzane.asumendi@ehu.es.
Abstract:
Programmed cell death and especially apoptotic cell death, occurs under physiological conditions and is also desirable under pathological circumstances. However, the more we learn about cellular signaling cascades, the less plausible it becomes to find restricted and well-limited signaling pathways. In this context, an extensive description of pathway-connections is necessary in order to point out the main regulatory molecules as well as to select the most appropriate therapeutic targets. On the other hand, irregularities in programmed cell death pathways often lead to tumor development and cancer-related mortality is projected to continue increasing despite the effort to develop more active and selective antitumoral compounds. In fact, tumor cell plasticity represents a major challenge in chemotherapy and improvement on anticancer therapies seems to rely on appropriate drug combinations. An overview of the current status regarding apoptotic pathways as well as available chemotherapeutic compounds provides a new perspective of possible future anticancer strategies.
Insights
Programmed cell death, particularly apoptosis, is crucial in health and disease. Understanding complex signaling pathways is key to identifying cancer drug targets and improving chemotherapy through drug combinations.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Programmed cell death, including apoptosis, is vital in physiological and pathological states.
- Complex cellular signaling cascades in apoptosis present challenges for targeted therapies.
- Dysregulation of programmed cell death contributes to tumor development and cancer mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge of apoptotic pathways.
- To identify key regulatory molecules and potential therapeutic targets.
- To explore future anticancer strategies based on pathway understanding and drug combinations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of programmed cell death pathways.
- Analysis of current chemotherapeutic compounds and their mechanisms.
- Exploration of drug combination strategies for cancer therapy.
Main Results:
- Apoptotic pathways are intricate, with interconnected signaling cascades.
- Tumor cell plasticity poses a significant challenge to conventional chemotherapy.
- Effective anticancer therapies may depend on synergistic drug combinations.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of apoptotic pathways is essential for developing novel cancer treatments.
- Targeting key regulatory molecules within these pathways offers therapeutic potential.
- Future cancer strategies will likely involve rational drug combinations to overcome resistance and improve outcomes.
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