Microbial pathogens and apoptotic anticancer therapy

Abstract

In spite of tremendous efforts to control cancer, the mortality associated with this disease has been increasing in developed countries in the recent decades. Inadequate efficiency of existing therapeutic regimens and the rise of multi-drug resistant cancer cells are the main factors which require a broadening of investigations into novel anticancer strategies. Enhancement of apoptosis in tumours has been suggested recently as a new anticancer strategy. It targets the disruption of equilibrium between cell proliferation and cell death in tumours and suggests to restore it through the use of pharmacological agents or genetic approaches. Apoptotic therapy has attracted many groups of investigators and several companies have entered the race to develop the first generation of apoptotic anticancer agents. The review discusses the role that pathogenic microorganisms may have as the source of agents for apoptotic therapy.

• adenovirus
• apoptosis
• apoptin
• Bordetella pertussis
• cancer
• caspases
• Clostridium difficile
• intracellular delivery technology
• Escherichia coli
• Helicobacter pylori
• HIV-1 Vpr
• mycobacteria
• resistance to apoptosis
• staphylococcus aureus
• viruses