The Apoptosis Paradox in Cancer

Cancer growth represents a dysregulated imbalance between cell gain and cell loss, where the rate of proliferating mutant tumour cells exceeds the rate of those that die. Apoptosis, the most renowned form of programmed cell death, operates as a key physiological mechanism that limits cell population expansion, either to maintain tissue homeostasis or to remove potentially harmful cells, such as those that have sustained DNA damage. Paradoxically, high-grade cancers are generally associated with high constitutive levels of apoptosis. In cancer, cell-autonomous apoptosis constitutes a common tumour suppressor mechanism, a property which is exploited in cancer therapy. By contrast, limited apoptosis in the…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: 107940/Z/15/Z, /Z/15/Z
• CR
  Cancer Research UK

  Award: EDDCPJT\100003