DMMC Course CANCER BIOLOGY TO CANCER MEDICINE

1620-1650 Wednesday 24 May 2006.
Durkan Lecture Theatre, Institute of Molecular Medicine, TCD, St James's Hospital

Apoptotic pathways in cancer development
Dr William Watson (UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research)

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is the controlled mechanism by which all cells die. Its dysfunction is associated with the development of an increasing list of disease including Cancer. This lecture will examine and update the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the induction of apoptosis from the well characteristed receptor and mitochondrial pathways to the less well known endoplasmic reticulum pathways for apoptosis. It will then overview how cancer cells have overcome these cell death triggers. Finally, therapeutic approaches to manipulate this resistance to apoptosis will be discussed. Specifically, understanding the mechanisms associated with the development of androgen independent prostate cancer and the role of apoptotic resistance. This will also include novel approaches for the manipulation of apoptotic resistance in prostate cancer.

Resources

Reference: Ghobrial I.M., Witzig T.E. & Adjei A.A. (2005). Targeting apoptosis pathways in cancer therapy. CA Cancer J Clin. 55, 178-194. PubMed Entry