Apoptosis pathway modulation

Apoptosis pathway modulation" does not refer to a specific molecule or receptor but rather describes the therapeutic strategy or biological process involving the regulation—either enhancement or inhibition—of cellular apoptotic signaling. The two main arms are the extrinsic pathway mediated by cell surface death receptors such as TRAIL-R/DR4/DR5 and Fas/CD95, and the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway regulated by Bcl‑2 family proteins. Pharmacological targeting aims either to restore defective pro-apoptotic signaling in diseases like cancer—where resistance often arises from impaired apoptosis—or inhibit excessive cell death in degenerative conditions. Drugs that modulate these pathways include TRAIL agonists for cancer therapy and small molecules targeting anti-apoptotic regulators like Bcl-xL/MCL-1/IAPs. MicroRNAs also play key roles as post-transcriptional modulators. While this approach is promising for overcoming drug resistance and selectively killing tumor cells with minimal systemic toxicity, challenges remain regarding specificity and safety due to potential effects on normal tissues.

Other names

Apoptosis modulationModulation of apoptotic pathwaysRegulation of apoptosis pathways

Activation or inhibition of caspases via intrinsic/extrinsic pathways Sensitization to death receptor-mediated apoptosis Inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl‑2 family members and IAPs