Exploiting Mitochondrial Vulnerabilities to Trigger Apoptosis Selectively in Cancer Cells.

ABSTRACT: The transformation of normal cells to the cancerous stage involves multiple genetic changes or mutations leading to hyperproliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and evasion of the host immune system. However, to accomplish hyperproliferation, cancer cells undergo profound metabolic reprogramming including oxidative glycolysis and acidification of the cytoplasm, leading to hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. The majority of drug development research in the past has focused on targeting DNA replication, repair, and tubulin polymerization to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Unfortunately, these are not cancer-selective targets. Recently, researchers have started focusing on metabolic, mitochondrial, and oxidative stress vulnerabilities of cancer cells that can be exploited as se

SUBMITTER: Nguyen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6678564 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature