Targeting apoptosis in cancer therapy

Defects in apoptosis, a complex cell death program that controls tissue homeostasis, play important roles in tumorigenesis. Conventional anticancer treatments trigger the apoptotic response in cancer cells. Drawbacks of these approaches are the lack of selectivity towards the tumor and treatment resistance. In the last few years, the recognition of the molecular events that promote and regulate the apoptotic program allowed the development of more rational anticancer strategies. These therapies are aimed at reinstating apoptosis in tumor cells by targeting the core components of cell death machinery and a broad array of apoptosis regulators.