What Is Apoptosis, And Why Is It Important?

• Published in: BMJ (Online) Vol. 322; no. 7301; pp. 1536 - 1538
• Main Authors: Renehan, Andrew G., Booth, Catherine, Potten, Christopher S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Medical Association 23-06-2001; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ
• Edition: International edition
• Subjects: Alzheimers disease; Antineoplastics; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - genetics; Apoptosis - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Cell nucleus; Cells; Disease; Education And Debate; Evolutionary genetics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical genetics; Medical research; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Neoplasia; Neoplasms - pathology; Nervous system diseases; Parkinson disease; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Pharmacology; Human; Embryonic development; Cell biology; Application method; Physiology; Biological effect; Predictive factor; Genetic determinism; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0959-8138; 0959-8146; 1756-1833; 1468-5833
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.322.7301.1536

This brief review has shown that many human diseases may result when cells die that shouldn't or others live that should die. Modulation of apoptotic processes may thus offer valuable methods of treatment It is now known that many existing drugs (for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) act by altering the levels of apoptosis. Virtually all cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy programmes induce apoptosis in tumour cells, and resistance to apoptosis is associated with treatment failure.