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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum
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Emerging mechanisms of pyroptosis and its therapeutic strategy in cancer

Liqing Lu1,2, Ye Zhang2, Xuemei Tan3

  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.

Cell Death Discovery
|July 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death, is linked to cancer. This review explores pyroptosis mechanisms, its role in tumors, and its therapeutic potential using chemotherapy, natural compounds, and nanotechnology for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Pyroptosis is an inflammatory programmed cell death pathway.
  • It is initiated by caspase cleavage of gasdermin proteins.
  • Pyroptosis is increasingly implicated in tumor development, but its precise role and mechanisms remain under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the definition, characteristics, and activation pathways of pyroptosis.
  • To elucidate the complex role of pyroptosis in various cancers.
  • To summarize therapeutic strategies targeting pyroptosis in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pyroptosis mechanisms and cancer associations.
  • Analysis of studies on pyroptosis in tumor development and immunity.
  • Compilation of data on FDA-approved drugs, natural compounds, and nanotechnology inducing pyroptosis.

Main Results:

  • Pyroptosis plays a multifaceted role in tumor progression and anticancer immunity.
  • Several FDA-approved chemotherapy drugs and natural compounds induce antitumor effects by triggering pyroptosis.
  • Nanotechnology offers a promising approach for pyroptosis-based tumor therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding pyroptosis is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
  • Targeting pyroptosis pathways holds significant therapeutic potential for various cancers.
  • Further research into pyroptosis mechanisms and applications is warranted.

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