The effect of drugs and toxins on the process of apoptosis.
In this review we examine the modifying effect of specific drugs on apoptosis. Apoptosis is a type of cell death prevalent during many physiological and pathological conditions, consisting of several steps, namely, initiating stimuli, transduction pathways, effector mechanisms, nuclear fragmentation, and phagocytosis. Pharmacological substances such as glucocorticoids can either induce or inhibit the process of apoptosis in various cells depending on the type of drug and its concentration. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction of drugs with cells undergoing apoptosis could encourage novel therapeutic approaches to human diseases in which apoptosis has a critical role.
Cameron
R
R
Department of Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital, Canada.
Feuer
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000494:pharmacology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D014635:Valproic Acid; D008727:Methotrexate