[Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis. Fas and TNF systems. ICE protease system. Bcl-2 family]. / Mecanismele moleculare ale apoptozei. Sistemul Fas si sistemul TNF. Sistemul proteazelor ICE. Familia Bcl-2.

For every cell is a time to live and a time to die. The cell death that occurs during embryogenesis, normal tissue turnover, pathological conditions like cancer cells, etc. is "programmed cell death" or apoptosis. In this study we report on apoptosis mediated by cytokines. Fas ligand and tumor necrosis factor bind to their receptors and induce apoptosis.

[Physiological and pathological roles of apoptosis]. / Roluri fiziologice si patologice ale apoptozei.

An understanding of the cellular events leading to apoptosis is important for the design of new chemotherapeutic agents directed against the types of leukemias and lymphomas that are resistant to currently used chemotherapeutic protocols. Malignant cell proliferation and accumulation depend on an imbalance between the rate of cell production and the rate of cell death. Apoptosis has been demonstrated to be involved not only in the regulation of normal tissues but also in the development and control of tumour cells. The relationship between oncogenes, apoptosis and growth factors is very important in determining prognosis when analysing the potential benefits of different treatment regimens.