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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding Cytokine-Induced Cell Death in Intestinal Epithelial Cells Using Human Organoids
Published on: August 2, 2024
Non-Canonical Programmed Cell Death in Colon Cancer
Bingchen Pan1, Bowen Zheng1, Chengzhong Xing1
1Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Abstract:
Programmed cell death (PCD) is an evolutionarily conserved process of cell suicide that is regulated by various genes and the interaction of multiple signal pathways. Non-canonical programmed cell death (PCD) represents different signaling excluding apoptosis. Colon cancer is the third most incident and the fourth most mortal worldwide. Multiple factors such as alcohol, obesity, and genetic and epigenetic alternations contribute to the carcinogenesis of colon cancer. In recent years, emerging evidence has suggested that diverse types of non-canonical programmed cell death are involved in the initiation and development of colon cancer, including mitotic catastrophe, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, parthanatos, oxeiptosis, NETosis, PANoptosis, and entosis. In this review, we summarized the association of different types of non-canonical PCD with tumorigenesis, progression, prevention, treatments, and prognosis of colon cancer. In addition, the prospect of drug-resistant colon cancer therapy related to non-canonical PCD, and the interaction between different types of non-canonical PCD, was systemically reviewed.
Insights
Programmed cell death (PCD) encompasses various cell suicide pathways. This review explores how non-canonical PCD types influence colon cancer development, treatment, and drug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental biological process crucial for development and tissue homeostasis.
- Non-canonical PCD pathways, distinct from apoptosis, are increasingly recognized for their roles in disease.
- Colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge, driven by complex genetic and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the involvement of diverse non-canonical programmed cell death (PCD) modalities in colon cancer.
- To elucidate the association between non-canonical PCD and colon cancer initiation, progression, prevention, and prognosis.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting non-canonical PCD in drug-resistant colon cancer.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating non-canonical PCD in colon cancer.
- Analysis of signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying various non-canonical PCD types (e.g., ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis).
- Synthesis of evidence on the interplay between different non-canonical PCD pathways and their collective impact on colon cancer.
Main Results:
- Multiple non-canonical PCD types, including ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and others, are implicated in colon cancer pathogenesis.
- These pathways influence tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and response to therapy.
- Interactions among different non-canonical PCD pathways modulate colon cancer progression and drug resistance.
Conclusions:
- Non-canonical PCD pathways represent promising therapeutic targets for colon cancer treatment.
- Understanding the complex interactions of these pathways is critical for developing effective anti-cancer strategies.
- Targeting non-canonical PCD offers a potential avenue for overcoming drug resistance in colon cancer.
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