Apoptosis is an essential biochemical process in cell turnover, development, and chemical-induced cell death. Current knowledge and ongoing research of apoptosis highlight our understanding in designing the therapeutic approaches for several diseases. This book covers four main sections: "Apoptosis and Necrosis," "Apoptosis Inducers," "Proteasome and Signaling Pathways in Apoptosis," and "Radiation-Based Apoptosis." The first section implicitly describes the differences between apoptosis and necrosis processes. The following section elaborates the small molecule-induced apoptosis. Then, the third section deals with proteasome and signaling pathways and finally, resistance to chemotherapy and electromagnetic radiation is covered in the last section. Overall, the book deals with pathways for manipulating apoptosis and provides a unique perspective to the scientists.

The book provides a comprehensive review of apoptotic cell death. It discusses the mechanism of apoptosis and emerging principles of drug resistance in cancer. The development of novel drug targets and drug delivery systems for inhibiting or inducing apoptosis are the ultimate goal. Further, upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins and loss of pro-apoptotic proteins strongly favors apoptosis evasion. The ability of cancer cells to evade apoptosis is critical for the progression and clonal expansion of malignantly transformed cells. Defective apoptosis imparts proliferative advantage to cancer cells or cells with the potential to become cancerous. The mechanisms employed by cancer cells to evade apoptosis can be used in the strategic design of therapeutic regimens aimed at exploiting apoptotic signaling networks to ensure tumor-specific cell death. This book presents knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of defective apoptosis that could be translated into the development of novel therapeutic agents and therapeutic modalities for cancer treatment.

Multi-cellular organisms eliminate individual cells through a self-destruct process known as apoptosis. Apoptosis is critical for proper development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The importance of this process is highlighted by the fact that too much or too little apoptosis is the underlying cause of pathologies such as cancer, autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, arthritis), and neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, Alzheimer's). In the early days, apoptotic cells were identified strictly by cell morphology. Now we know that biochemical signatures define a number of death programs, of which apoptosis is the most widely understood. In this review, we discuss genetic insights gained from C. elegans, the importance of caspases, engulfment of apoptotic cells, apoptotic signals, the role of mitochondria, the Bcl-2 family, and the link between dysfunctional apoptosis and disease. Within each topic, we highlight landmark studies that contributed to our current understanding of apoptosis. All together, this research exemplifies tremendous scientific synergy between the disciplines of genetics, biochemistry, developmental cell biology, and structural biology. Continued exploration into mechanisms that regulate apoptosis will undoubtedly lead to insights into disease processes with potential therapeutic strategies.

Although research on carcinogenesis has focused more on cellular proliferation than on cell death, yet understanding the mechanism of apoptosis may have important implications for cancer therapy. This book brings together experts from around the world who will discuss the common cancers encountered in clinical practice in the laboratory setting. During the induction of these common cancers, the role of apoptosis in cellular and molecular changes is emphasized, critically highlighting possible anti-cancer strategies. For those who are interested in carcinogenesis and for those who are seeking new approaches to anti-cancer therapy, this book is an important reference. It serves not only as a reference of the current understanding of apoptosis in common cancers but also an important bridge between the laboratory and clinical practice. The editors and contributors are to be congratulated in bringing together an important pool of up-to-date knowledge to light and further our interest in this exciting and expanding ?eld. Arthur K. C. Li Emeritus Professor of Surgery The Chinese University of Hong Kong v Preface The role of apoptosis in cancer development and emerging treatment strategies has rapidly expanded over the past few years. The novel discovery in the apoptotic pa- ways and their relevant molecules provides us not only the knowledge how tumors develop but also the opportunity to design new therapeutic tools to prevent or inhibit the growth of tumors with minimal side-effects. Undoubtedly, understanding the events involved at a molecular level can permit the manipulation of apoptosis for therapeutic purposes.

Apoptosis in Health and Disease - Part B, Volume 126 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology focuses on apoptotic responses in numerous conditions - from bacterial and parasite infections, to pathological states such as oxidative stress, pulmonary hypertension, and different cancer types, etc. In addition, the book provides therapeutic strategies for targeting apoptosis. These new advanced understandings are playing a major influence in drug discovery and the introduction of new therapies that target the cell death process. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is the mechanism by which cells die either physiologically or pathologically. Vast research in apoptosis has advanced our understanding of basic physiological and pathological processes occurring in cells, organs and organisms, and its role in a number of diseases. - Integrates experimental and computational methods for studying apoptosis in health and different diseases - Includes strategies for identification of suitable therapeutic targets - Discusses the design of treatments targeting key points in the apoptotic cascade

A 2005 survey of the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of many significant human illnesses and injury states.

Provides insight into established practices and research into apoptosis and senescence by examining techniques and research in the fields of cell death pathways, senescence growth arrest, drugs and resistance, DNA damage response, and other topics which still hold mysteries for researchers. This book concludes with established cancer therapies.

The past few years have witnessed an astonishing international effort that established the role of some 20 new molecules in apoptosis and added activation or suppression of apoptosis to the accepted biological functions of a great many others already familiar in cancer biology. Some of these molecules are receptors, transducing cytokine-mediated signals; others appear to intensify or diminish the risk that a compro mised cell will fire its apoptosis effector mechanism. All are of interest as potential targets for tumor therapy, and some may prove to be control points influenced in the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases as diverse as viral infection, neurodegenerative disorders, and stroke. Sometimes, in the midst of these developments, a kind of euphoria ap pears to have gripped the research community, with the expectation that apoptosis will afford explanations to many unsolved questions in cellu lar regulation. This book, in a series of thoughtful and provocative ar ticles--some from established leaders in the field, and others from younger scientists--seeks to redress the balance.

Apoptosis is the regulated form of cell death. It is a complex process defined by a set of characteristic morphological and biochemical features that involves the active participation of affected cells in a self-destruction cascade. This programmed cell death plays a critical role in physiological functions such as cell deletion during embryonic development, balancing cell number in continuously renewing tissues and immune system development. Additionally, a dysregulation of apoptosis is underlying in numerous pathological situations such as Parkinson, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. A number of studies have pointed out an association between consumption of fruits and vegetables, and certain beverages such as tea and wine, which are rich in polyphenols, with reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. Apoptosis is also the regulatory mechanism involved in the removal of unnecessary cells during development and in tissue homeostasis in a wide range of organisms from insects to mammals. This book presents exciting research in this related field.