Caspase-mediated cleavage of beta-catenin precedes drug-induced apoptosis in resistant cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: A delicate balance between cell death and survival pathways maintains normal physiology, which is altered in many cancers, shifting the balance toward increased survival. Several studies have established a close connection between the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and tumorigenesis, aberrant activation of which might contribute toward increased cancer cell growth and survival. Extensive research is underway to identify therapeutic agents that can induce apoptosis specifically in cancer cells with minimal collateral damage to normal cells. Although tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce apoptosis specifically in tumor cells, many cancer cells develop resistance, which can be overcome by combinatorial treatment with other agents: for example, peroxisome prolife

SUBMITTER: Senthivinayagam S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2679459 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature