Developing TRAIL/TRAIL death receptor-based cancer therapies

Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2018 Dec;37(4):733-748. doi: 10.1007/s10555-018-9728-y.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF superfamily that can initiate the apoptosis pathway by binding to its associated death receptors DR4 and DR5. The activation of the TRAIL pathway in inducing tumor-selective apoptosis leads to the development of TRAIL-based cancer therapies, which include recombinant forms of TRAIL, TRAIL receptor agonists, and other therapeutic agents. Importantly, TRAIL, DR4, and DR5 can all be induced by synthetic and natural agents that activate the TRAIL apoptosis pathway in cancer cells. Thus, understanding the regulation of the TRAIL apoptosis pathway can aid in the development of TRAIL-based therapies for the treatment of human cancer.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Cancer therapy; Resistance; TRAIL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / metabolism*
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / pharmacology

Substances

  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand