title: Advances and controversies in the study of programmed cell death/apoptosis in the development of and therapy for cancer.
abstract: Whether normal or malignant, cells possess within their repertoire of epigenetic programs the ability to undergo a process of cellular suicide, termed programmed cell death. This programmed cell death process involves an epigenetic reprogramming of the cell that results in an energy-dependent cascade of biochemical and morphologic changes within the cell (also termed apoptosis), resulting in its death and elimination. Activation of programmed cell death is controlled by a series of endogenous cell-type-specific signals. In addition, various exogenous cell-damaging treatments (eg, radiation, chemicals, and viruses) can activate this pathway if sufficient injury to the cell occurs.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Isaacs
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
chemical_list: D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D004247:DNA