Regulation of Cell Death and Survival by Resveratrol: Implications for Cancer Therapy

Apoptosis is a critical regulatory mechanism to control tissue homeostasis. Accordingly, too little apoptosis can contribute to cancer. Natural compounds, e.g. polyphenols such as resveratrol, have emerged as promising agents for cancer chemoprevention and therapy, since they interfere with various major signaling cascades that are aberrantly regulated in cancers. For example, resveratrol can antagonize signaling events that prevent apoptosis or support cancer proliferation. Further elucidation of the signaling events that are regulated by resveratrol is anticipated to path the way for the transfer of resveratrol and its derivatives into clinical application for chemoprevention or treatment of human cancers.