Broad targeting of resistance to apoptosis in cancer

Mohammad, R. M. et al. (2015) Broad targeting of resistance to apoptosis in cancer. Seminars in Cancer Biology, 35(Suppl.), S78-S103. (doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2015.03.001) (PMID:25936818)

Abstract

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is natural way of removing aged cells from the body. Most of the anti-cancer therapies trigger apoptosis induction and related cell death networks to eliminate malignant cells. However, in cancer, de-regulated apoptotic signaling, particularly the activation of an anti-apoptotic systems, allows cancer cells to escape this program leading to uncontrolled proliferation resulting in tumor survival, therapeutic resistance and recurrence of cancer. This resistance is a complicated phenomenon that emanates from the interactions of various molecules and signaling pathways. In this comprehensive review we discuss the various factors contributing to apoptosis resistance in cancers. The key resistance targets that are discussed include (1) Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins; (2) autophagy processes; (3) necrosis and necroptosis; (4) heat shock protein signaling; (5) the proteasome pathway; (6) epigenetic mechanisms; and (7) aberrant nuclear export signaling. The shortcomings of current therapeutic modalities are highlighted and a broad spectrum strategy using approaches including (a) gossypol; (b) epigallocatechin-3-gallate; (c) UMI-77 (d) triptolide and (e) selinexor that can be used to overcome cell death resistance is presented. This review provides a roadmap for the design of successful anti-cancer strategies that overcome resistance to apoptosis for better therapeutic outcome in patients with cancer.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Keith, Professor Nicol and Bilsland, Dr Alan
• Authors: Mohammad, R. M., Muqbil, I., Lowe, L., Yedjou, C., Hsu, H.-Y., Lin, L.-T., Siegelin, M. D., Fimognari, C., Kumar, N. B., Dou, Q. P., Yang, H., Samadi, A. K., Russo, G. L., Spagnuolo, C., Ray, S. K., Chakrabarti, M., Morre, J. D., Coley, H. M., Honoki, K., Fujii, H., Georgakilas, A. G., Amedei, A., Niccolai, E., Amin, A., Ashraf, S. S., Helferich, W. G., Yang, X., Boosani, C. S., Guha, G., Bhakta, D., Ciriolo, M. R., Aquilano, K., Chen, S., Mohammed, S. I., Keith, W. N., Bilsland, A., Halicka, D., Nowsheen, S., and Azmi, A. S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Seminars in Cancer Biology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1044-579X
• ISSN (Online): 1096-3650
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Seminars in Cancer Biology 35(Suppl.):S78-S103
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License