biostudies-literatureUnknown94(1)Puisieux AA major obstacle to the expansion of abnormal cells with significant proliferative potential is the induction of programmed cell death. Consequently, oncogene-driven hyperproliferation must be associated with apoptosis inhibition to allow malignant outgrowth. The oncogenic cooperation of N-Myc and Twist-1 in the development of neuroblastoma, the most common and deadly solid tumour of childhood, perfectly illustrates such a process. N-Myc promotes cell proliferation, whereas Twist-1 counteracts its pro-apoptotic properties by knocking-down the ARF/p53 pathway. On the basis of numerous recent studies reporting its overexpression in a variety of human cancers, we discuss in this review the role of Twist-1 as a potent inhibitor of the cell safety programs engaged in response to an abnormal mitBritish journal of cancer13-7https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC2361066biostudies-literatureA twist for survival and cancer progression.PMC2361066Ansieau SPuisieux AValsesia-Wittmann SfalseA twist for survival and cancer progression.A major obstacle to the expansion of abnormal cells with significant proliferative potential is the induction of programmed cell death. Consequently, oncogene-driven hyperproliferation must be associated with apoptosis inhibition to allow malignant outgrowth. The oncogenic cooperation of N-Myc and Twist-1 in the development of neuroblastoma, the most common and deadly solid tumour of childhood, perfectly illustrates such a process. N-Myc promotes cell proliferation, whereas Twist-1 counteracts its pro-apoptotic properties by knocking-down the ARF/p53 pathway. On the basis of numerous recent studies reporting its overexpression in a variety of human cancers, we discuss in this review the role of Twist-1 as a potent inhibitor of the cell safety programs engaged in response to an abnormal mit2006-01-01T00:00:00Z2006 Jan2025-04-18T15:08:57.156Z2019-03-27T02:44:55ZS-EPMC23610661630687610.1038/sj.bjc.6602876