Apoptosis induction uses drugs or gene therapy to trigger a natural process of programmed cell death. Recent research suggests therapies involving apoptosis induction may prove promising for the treatment of cancer. Apoptosis induction for malignant mesothelioma treatment is new but shows promise.
What Is Apoptosis?
Apoptosis is a pre-programmed process that causes the death of a living cell. In other words, apoptosis is a form of “cellular suicide,” a ticking time bomb aimed at specific cells or cell types.[1]
Apoptosis serves a positive purpose at various stages of human development. For example, in utero, humans have extra tissue connecting their fingers and toes in a web-like formation. Apoptosis is responsible for “dissolving” the webbing, leaving separate and distinctive digits we recognize as fingers and toes.[2]
Similarly, when the development of the central nervous system begins, mass quantities of brain cells are formed. Apoptosis is responsible for eliminating unnecessary cells, allowing for normal brain function.
What Causes Apoptosis?
In nature, apoptosis is triggered by certain hormonal processes. For example, apoptosis plays a prominent role in first menses; however, apoptosis can also be pathological. Stress can cause unhealthy apoptosis.
More apoptosis is seen in individuals with certain viruses or neurological dysfunction, including people with AIDS or Parkinson’s disease. Conversely, people with cancer, such as malignant mesothelioma, show lower than normal rates of apoptosis.[3]
What Happens to Apoptosis During Cancer?
Cancer cells get around apoptosis by inhibiting the process in several ways, but this is not fully understood. They overexpress anti-apoptosis proteins and under-express pro-apoptosis proteins, for instance, but not all of these have been identified.[4]
Can You Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells?
A natural process that programs cell death is a natural starting point for treatment research. While it is possible to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, it’s not simple.
Apoptosis is a complex process that researchers are still trying to understand. Knowing more about how it works will allow for treatments that can induce it in specific cells.
Right now, a major issue in cancer treatment is that medications that kill cells are not specific enough. They kill cancer cells but also harm healthy cells, often causing severe and intolerable side effects.
Researchers must find out more about the natural apoptosis process and why cancer cells resist it.
What Drugs Are Used to Induce Apoptosis?
The theory behind apoptosis for cancer treatment is to see if purposefully inducing apoptosis could have a therapeutic effect. Several researchers have been studying the possibilities.[3] Here is a brief overview of their findings.
Disulfiram
Initially intended as a treatment for alcoholism, disulfiram is a drug currently being explored as an alternative treatment for malignant mesothelioma. Researchers found that malignant mesothelioma cells, when exposed to disulfiram, became apoptotic, eventually dying off.[5]
These findings suggest that disulfiram may be a viable treatment option for people with certain types of mesothelioma. More clinical trials and research are needed to determine its effectiveness.
Lovastatin
Lovastatin is a statin drug typically used to treat high blood cholesterol. However, U.S. researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered that it has another interesting side effect. When administered to human malignant mesothelioma cells, lovastatin causes those cells to undergo apoptosis.
This could potentially decrease growth and halt the spread of mesothelioma tumors; thus, lovastatin, a usually well-tolerated drug, could be paired with other treatment methodologies, enhancing cancer-fighting properties.[6]
Plant Compounds That Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells
Some researchers have turned to traditional medicine to look for compounds in plants that might slow cancer growth by inducing apoptosis.
While these have not yet been developed into viable mesothelioma treatments, several plant compounds have been discovered to have apoptosis-inducing activities:[4]
- Aloe-emodin, found in Rheum pamatum
- Black cohosh, found in black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
- Curcumin, found in turmeric
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), found in green tea
- Genistein, found in soybeans
- Graviola, found in Annona muricata
- Juglone, found in Juglans mandshurica
- Quercetin, found in multiple plants, including apples and red onions
Gene Therapy to Induce Apoptosis
Researchers in genetics and genomics are constantly discovering new ways to fight cancer. For example, gene therapy is becoming a viable option, especially for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.
Recent research from the United States and Switzerland indicates gene therapies utilizing antisense and antisurvivin treatments have tremendous potential. These treatments induce apoptosis in cancer cells at the most basic level, causing protein breakdown and rendering cells inactive.
Researchers hope these forms of gene therapy could eradicate tumors, particularly when combined with other means of treatment.[7]
Apoptosis and the Future of Mesothelioma Treatment
Researchers hope discovering methods to selectively induce apoptosis of cancerous cells will lead to longer lives for those with malignant mesothelioma and other types of cancer. This is particularly positive due to the low incidence of adverse side effects with these treatment options; therefore, if proven effective, apoptosis induction could be the future of mesothelioma treatment.
