Apoptosis: From Oncogenesis to Oncotherapy

Abstract

Cell death is critical in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation and elimination in all living organisms. Among the different modalities of regulated cell death, apoptosis remains the most extensively studied and interesting pathway for targeted carcinogenesis therapy. Dysfunctions in apoptotic pathways contribute to the development and progression of cancer, and targeting these pathways is essential for effective cancer therapy. This review provides an overview of different types of apoptotic pathways and their significance in the development and progression of cancer. We also discuss the present oncotherapy strategies targeting different cell death pathways and mechanisms and the challenges associated with apoptosis-based therapies. This review highlights the need for the development of 3-D cellular models to study the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment, reduced in-vivo toxicity, and increased specificity for certain drugs targeting p53 or inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Overall, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the significance of apoptosis in oncogenesis and oncotherapy and the potential of targeting apoptotic pathways for effective cancer treatment.Cell death is critical in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation and elimination in all living organisms. Among the different modalities of regulated cell death, apoptosis remains the most extensively studied and interesting pathway for targeted carcinogenesis therapy. Dysfunctions in apoptotic pathways contribute to the development and progression of cancer, and targeting these pathways is essential for effective cancer therapy. This review provides an overview of different types of apoptotic pathways and their significance in the development and progression of cancer. We also discuss the present oncotherapy strategies targeting different cell death pathways and mechanisms and the challenges associated with apoptosis-based therapies. This review highlights the need for the development of 3-D cellular models to study the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment, reduced in-vivo toxicity, and increased specificity for certain drugs targeting p53 or inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Overall, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the significance of apoptosis in oncogenesis and oncotherapy and the potential of targeting apoptotic pathways for effective cancer treatment.