Abstract

Apoptosis and senescence are cellular failsafe programmes that counteract excessive mitogenic signalling from activated oncogenes. Cancellation of apoptosis or senescence is therefore a prerequisite for tumour formation, and the ability of the cancer cell to disrupt these processes can be considered its 'lifeline'. Ironically, the efficacy of anticancer agents also depends on the activation of apoptosis or an acutely inducible form of cellular senescence. Understanding how the 'lifelines' of the cancer cell interfere with treatment sensitivity is of crucial importance for developing safer and more effective treatment strategies.

Author affiliations

1. Clemens A. Schmitt is at the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité/Campus Virchow-Hospital, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Humboldt University, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
   Email: clemens.schmitt@charite.de