Tumor cell apoptotic pathway

The "tumor cell apoptotic pathway" refers collectively to the molecular signaling mechanisms by which cancer cells undergo programmed cell death. It encompasses two main branches: the extrinsic pathway—initiated by cell surface death receptors such as TNF receptor 1, Fas, and TRAIL receptors, leading to caspase-8 activation—and the intrinsic pathway—governed by mitochondrial signals controlled by Bcl-2 family proteins, cytochrome c release, apoptosome assembly (Apaf-1/caspase-9), and effector caspase activation (e.g., caspase-3). Apoptotic pathway dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer, contributing to uncontrolled proliferation and resistance to therapy. While drugs can selectively modulate key molecular nodes within these pathways (e.g., Bcl-2 inhibitors, SMAC mimetics), "tumor cell apoptotic pathway" itself is not a single molecule or canonical drug target, but rather the sum of overlapping, highly regulated biochemical cascades involved in cell death execution.

Other names

Apoptosis pathwaysCancer cell apoptotic pathwaysIntrinsic apoptotic pathwayExtrinsic apoptotic pathway

Induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway (pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family activation); Activation of death receptors (extrinsic); Caspase activation; Inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g., Bcl-2, IAPs).