Tumor Cell Death

Tumor cell death encompasses multiple molecularly distinct but often interconnected processes whose manipulation remains at the heart of modern oncology research and drug development efforts. The main forms of regulated cell death (RCD) relevant to tumors include apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagic cell death. Induction or modulation of these pathways is a major strategy in anticancer therapy. Cellular debris from dying tumor cells can modulate immune responses.

Other names

Cancer Cell DeathMalignant Cell Death

Various mechanisms depending on the specific cell death pathway targeted (e.g., caspase activation for apoptosis, RIPK1/RIPK3 activation for necroptosis, induction of lipid peroxidation for ferroptosis).