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Targeting Apoptosis in Cancer

  • Evolving Therapies (RM Bukowski, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Apoptosis is a major mechanism of cancer cell death. Thus, evasion of apoptosis results in therapy resistance. Here, we review apoptosis modulators in cancer and their recent developments, including MDM2 inhibitors and kinase inhibitors that can induce effective apoptosis.

Recent Findings

Both extrinsic pathways (external stimuli through cell surface death receptor) and intrinsic pathways (mitochondrial-mediated regulation upon genotoxic stress) regulate the complex process of apoptosis through orchestration of various proteins such as members of the BCL-2 family. Dysregulation within these complex steps can result in evasion of apoptosis. However, via the combined evolution of medicinal chemistry and molecular biology, omics assays have led to innovative inducers of apoptosis and inhibitors of anti-apoptotic regulators. Many of these agents are now being tested in cancer patients in early-phase trials.

Summary

We believe that despite a sluggish speed of development, apoptosis targeting holds promise as a relevant strategy in cancer therapeutics.

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Acknowledgements

The manuscript was edited by Sarah Bronson, ELS, of the Research Medical Library at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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  1. Division of Surgery, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Puneet Singh

  2. Breast Oncology, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Bora Lim

  3. Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 7200 Cambridge St.77030, USA

    Bora Lim

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Puneet Singh declares that she has no conflict of interest. Bora Lim has received research funding from Puma Biotechnology, Novartis, Genentech, Merck, and Takeda Oncology. There are no directly relevant financial activities related to the drugs included in this article.

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Singh, P., Lim, B. Targeting Apoptosis in Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 24, 273–284 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-022-01199-y

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