Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Flow Cytometric Detection of Newly-formed Breast Cancer Stem Cell-like Cells After Apoptosis Reversal
Published on: January 26, 2019
Apoptosis Markers in Breast Cancer Therapy
Charushila Y Kadam1, Subodhini A Abhang1
1B. J. Govt. Medical College, Pune, India.
Abstract:
Cancer is a disease characterized by a very little apoptosis, ie, genetically programmed cell death. Aberrations in apoptotic pathways are central to tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and overall tumor growth and regression in response to chemotherapy. It is now increasingly accepted that chemotherapeutic drug efficacy is partially related to its ability to induce apoptosis. Apoptosis, therefore, represents not only a vital target in cancer therapy but also a unique biomarker opportunity that has thus far been largely unexploited. In response to therapy, tumor cells undergo apoptosis and release their cellular components in the circulation. As such, these materials may serve as biomarkers to assess response. Apoptosis markers in breast cancer include circulating soluble FasL, granzyme B, and cytochrome c that increase following chemotherapy. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of information in the literature with respect to this approach. As such, large-scale prospective studies are clearly needed to validate this approach and more fully elucidate clinical usefulness.
Insights
Cancer therapy efficacy is linked to apoptosis induction. Circulating apoptotic markers, like those in breast cancer, could assess treatment response but require further large-scale studies for validation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cancer is characterized by reduced apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
- Dysregulation of apoptotic pathways is crucial for cancer development and progression.
- Chemotherapeutic effectiveness is partly attributed to inducing apoptosis in tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore apoptosis as a therapeutic target in cancer.
- To investigate the potential of apoptosis-derived circulating materials as biomarkers for assessing cancer treatment response.
- To highlight the largely unexploited biomarker potential of apoptosis in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on apoptosis in cancer therapy.
- Identification of circulating apoptosis markers (e.g., soluble FasL, granzyme B, cytochrome c) in breast cancer patients post-chemotherapy.
- Analysis of current data on the clinical utility of these markers.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis is a key mechanism in chemotherapy response.
- Tumor cells release components into circulation upon apoptosis, serving as potential biomarkers.
- Specific markers like soluble FasL, granzyme B, and cytochrome c increase after chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis is a critical target and potential biomarker in cancer therapy.
- Circulating apoptotic markers offer a promising, yet underutilized, approach to monitor treatment efficacy.
- Extensive prospective studies are essential to validate these biomarkers and determine their clinical utility.
More Related Videos
08:26Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer
Published on: March 24, 2013
19:44Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen
Published on: May 30, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
01:30Apoptosis
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...