Apoptosis in malignant diseases

Abstract

Apoptosis is a special type of cell death essentially different from necrosis in nature and biological significance. It is an active process of genetically regulated cell auto destruction and in most cases has a homeostatic function. Apoptotic cells may be characterized by specific morphological and biochemical changes. A great number of genes are known today, whose protein products take part in regulation of the apoptotic process. Apoptosis or programmed cell death has been implicated in a wide range of pathological conditions. Studies of the correlation of programmed cell death with proliferation and the multistage carcinogenesis process are in the focus of modern research. Mutations and deletions of apoptotic genes play important roles in carcinogenesis, tumor growth, and tumor regression. This article reviews the current knowledge on mutations of apoptosis genes involved in pathogenesis of human cancers. Finally, we have recently summarized achievements in cancer therapy with a focus on the apoptotic genes.