Targeting the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 family in cancer.
The B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 (BCL-2) family of proteins has attracted the attention of cancer biologists since the cloning of BCL-2 more than 25 years ago. In the intervening decades, the way the BCL-2 family controls commitment to programmed cell death has been greatly elucidated. Several drugs directed at inhibiting BCL-2 and related antiapoptotic proteins have been tested clinically, with some showing considerable promise, particularly in lymphoid malignancies. A better understanding of the BCL-2 family has also provided insight into how conventional chemotherapy selectively kills cancer cells and why some cancers are more chemosensitive than others. Further exploitation of our understanding of the BCL-2 family promises to offer improved predictive biomarkers for oncologists and improved therapies for patients with cancer.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Matthew S
MS
Davids
Anthony
A
Letai
D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013873:Thionucleotides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C501332:ABT-737; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D007211:Indoles; D009596:Nitrophenols; D010879:Piperazines; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011758:Pyrroles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013873:Thionucleotides; C408162:oblimersen; C520962:obatoclax; C528561:navitoclax