Apoptosis and Oncology

This work is devoted to apoptosis, a form of cell death by self-destruction, and its implication for oncology. Apoptosis is widespread in multicellular organisms and plays important roles in both development and tissue homeostasis. The importance of apoptosis in the control of cell populations is increasingly being recognized. Genetic changes that block normal apoptosis can contribute to oncogenesis. Such changes can cause low-grade tumours by themselves or combine with changes that promote cell division to cause more aggressive tumours. Knowledge of apoptosis may contribute to the rational design of future therapeutic agents and strategies.