Genes Involved in Apoptosis Regulation: Implications for Cancer Therapy

Apoptosis, the cell's intrinsic death program, plays an important role in the regulation of tissue homeostasis. Also, killing of cancer cells by various cytotoxic approaches such as anticancer drugs, γ-irradiation, suicide genes or immunotherapy, is predominantly mediated through induction of apoptosis in target cells. Understanding the molecular events that regulate apoptosis and how tumor cells evade apoptotic deletion have provided a paradigm to link cancer genetics and response to cancer therapy. Thus, insights into the mechanisms regulating drug-induced apoptosis provide rational targets for novel therapeutic interventions.