Death Receptor Pathway (Fas Ligand and TRAIL) (N/A)

The death receptor pathway, primarily mediated by Fas Ligand (FasL) and TRAIL, is a crucial mechanism for inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Upon ligand binding to their respective receptors (Fas, DR4, DR5), the pathway initiates a cascade leading to caspase activation and cell death. However, tumor cells often develop resistance mechanisms or exploit non-apoptotic signaling functions of this pathway, making it a complex but important therapeutic target in cancer.

Other names

Fas Ligand PathwayTRAIL PathwayCD95L PathwayTNFSF10 PathwayApoptosis Signaling via Death Receptors

Activation of death receptors (Fas, TRAILR1/DR4, TRAILR2/DR5) leads to DISC formation, caspase-8 activation, and subsequent executioner caspase activation, resulting in apoptosis. Can also trigger non-apoptotic signaling pathways depending on cellular context.