Therapeutic targeting of apoptosis pathways in cancer

Purpose of review Anti-apoptotic mechanisms contribute to the development of cancer and the resistance of cancer cells to antitumor therapies. This review focuses on the progress towards clinical application of therapies that directly modulate the apoptosis pathways. Recent findings A growing understanding of the mechanisms that control apoptosis has generated a number of strategies for modulating apoptotic pathways, including activation of death receptors and neutralization of anti-apoptotic proteins. Striking antitumor efficacy has been achieved in preclinical cancer models. To date, early-phase testing has not yet established the clinical utility of these strategies. Summary There is every reason to be optimistic that the wealth of knowledge about the molecular controls of apoptosis will eventually be translated into new clinical therapies for cancer. It is likely that the optimum utility of these pro-apoptotic therapies will be in combination with other treatment modalities, and careful patient selection will be necessary.