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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and roles in cancer development and treatment
Samira Goldar1, Mahmoud Shekari Khaniani, Sima Mansoori Derakhshan
1Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Labratorary, Division of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract:
Programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis is a mechanism which is crucial for all multicellular organisms to control cell proliferation and maintain tissue homeostasis as well as eliminate harmful or unnecessary cells from an organism. Defects in the physiological mechanisms of apoptosis may contribute to different human diseases like cancer. Identification of the mechanisms of apoptosis and its effector proteins as well as the genes responsible for apoptosis has provided a new opportunity to discover and develop novel agents that can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to undergo apoptosis or reset their apoptotic threshold. These novel targeted therapies include those targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, p53, the extrinsic pathway, FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, and the caspases. In recent years a number of these novel agents have been assessed in preclinical and clinical trials. In this review, we introduce some of the key regulatory molecules that control the apoptotic pathways, extrinsic and intrinsic death receptors, discuss how defects in apoptotic pathways contribute to cancer, and list several agents being developed to target apoptosis.
Insights
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is vital for multicellular life, but its defects can cause cancer. Novel targeted therapies aim to restore apoptosis in cancer cells by targeting key regulatory molecules and pathways.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is essential for multicellular organism development, tissue homeostasis, and eliminating damaged cells.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, particularly cancer.
- Understanding apoptosis mechanisms offers therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key regulatory molecules controlling apoptosis pathways (extrinsic and intrinsic).
- To discuss the role of apoptotic defects in cancer development.
- To highlight novel therapeutic agents targeting apoptosis for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on apoptosis regulation and cancer.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways.
- Compilation of data on emerging targeted therapies for apoptosis modulation.
Main Results:
- Identification of critical regulators including Bcl-2 family, p53, death receptors, c-FLIP, IAPs, and caspases.
- Elucidation of how defects in apoptosis contribute to cancer initiation and progression.
- Overview of preclinical and clinical assessments of novel apoptosis-targeting agents.
Conclusions:
- Targeting apoptosis pathways presents a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
- Restoring apoptotic sensitivity in cancer cells can be achieved through various molecular interventions.
- Ongoing research and clinical trials are evaluating the efficacy of these targeted agents.
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