Review

Nature Reviews Cancer 8, 782-798 (October 2008) | doi:10.1038/nrc2465

The TRAIL apoptotic pathway in cancer onset, progression and therapy

Ricky W. Johnstone1, Ailsa J. Frew1 & Mark J. Smyth1  About the authors

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Triggering of tumour cell apoptosis is the foundation of many cancer therapies. Death receptors of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily have been largely characterized, as have the signals that are generated when these receptors are activated. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors (TRAILR1 and TRAILR2) are promising targets for cancer therapy. Herein we review what is known about the molecular control of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, the role of TRAIL in carcinogenesis and the potential therapeutic utility of recombinant TRAIL and agonistic antibodies against TRAILR1 and TRAILR2.

Author affiliations

  1. Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.

Correspondence to: Ricky W. Johnstone1 Email: ricky.johnstone@petermac.org

Correspondence to: Mark J. Smyth1 Email: mark.smyth@petermac.org

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