ABSTRACT
-Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell suicide, can be thought of as one mechanism
by which organisms prevent the formation and progression of malignant neoplasms. Cells
that have incurred irreparable damage to their DNA and subsequently escaped the tight
controls placed upon proliferation and migration may be eliminated, under normal circumstances,
by activation of their intrinsic apoptotic program. Deactivation of the apoptotic
program, and hence propagation of mutations produced by DNA damage, may be a necessary
precursor to cancer. This article describes the basic cellular elements and signal
transduction pathways that underlie apoptosis and examines in more detail the potential
role(s) that each of these elements may play in the genesis and progression of glial
neoplasms. Finally, it describes attempts that have been made to design clinical therapies
directed at increasing the sensitivity of these tumors to apoptotic stimuli.
KEYWORD
