What can we learn from mice lacking pro-survival BCL-2 proteins to advance BH3 mimetic drugs for cancer therapy?

ABSTRACT: In many human cancers the control of apoptosis is dysregulated, for instance as a result of the overexpression of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins. This promotes tumorigenesis by protecting nascent neoplastic cells from stress and renders malignant cells resistant to anti-cancer agents. Therefore, several BH3 mimetic drugs targeting distinct pro-survival proteins have been developed. The BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax/ABT-199, has been approved for treatment of certain blood cancers and tens of thousands of patients have already been treated effectively with this drug. To advance the clinical development of MCL-1 and BCL-XL inhibitors, a more detailed understanding of their distinct and overlapping roles in the survival of malignant as well as non-transformed cells in healthy tissues is required. H

SUBMITTER: Brinkmann K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9177562 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature