title: Targeting the Fas/FasL signaling pathway in cancer therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Fas/FasL system plays a significant role in tumorigenesis. Research has shown that its impairment in cancer cells may lead to apoptosis resistance and contribute to tumor progression. Thus, the development of effective therapies targeting the Fas/FasL system may play an important role in the fight against cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review the recent literature on targeting the Fas/FasL system for therapeutic exploitation at different levels is reviewed. Promising pre-clinical approaches and various exceptions are highlighted. The potential of combined therapies is also explored, whereby tumor sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is restored, before an effective targeted therapy is employed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success of the Fas/FasL system targeting for therapeutics will require a better understanding of the alterations conferring resistance, in order to use the most appropriate sensitizing chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic agents in combination with effective targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villa-Morales
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Piqueras
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D019014:fas Receptor