title: TRAIL receptor signaling and therapeutics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF family of cytokines, which can induce apoptotic cell death in a variety of tumor cells by engaging specific death receptors, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2, while having low toxicity towards normal cells. There is interest in cancer therapy inducing cell death by activation of the death-receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway while avoiding decoy-receptor-mediated neutralization of the signal. This has led to the development of a number of receptor-specific TRAIL-variants and agonistic antibodies. Some of these soluble recombinant TRAIL and agonist antibodies targeting TRAIL-R1 and/or TRAIL-R2 are progressing in clinical trials. In addition, TRAIL-resistant tumors can be sensitized to TRAIL by a combination of TRAIL or agonistic antibodies with chemotherapeutic agents, targeted small molecules or irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recent advances in developing TRAIL or its agonist receptor antibodies in cancer therapy. We also discuss combination therapies in overcoming TRAIL resistance in cancer cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knowledge of current clinical trials, the promise and obstacles in the future development of therapies affecting TRAIL signaling pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer therapeutics targeting the TRAIL/TRAIL receptor signaling pathway hold great promise for molecularly targeted pro-apoptotic anti-cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Junaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abdulghani
authors.forename: Wafik S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: El-Deiry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand