Programmed cell death and cancer

Abstract

Programmed cell death or apoptosis, in which cells actively participate in their own self-destruction, is increasingly being recognised as a biological process of critical importance, not only in normal physiology but in the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer. A number of genes regulating apoptosis have been identified. Mutations of these genes or their abnormal expression have been linked to the development of malignancies in animals and humans and have, in some instances, been associated with resistance of cancers to treatment. Such observations not only increase our understanding of cancer biology, but will probably lead to novel approaches to cancer therapy as well.