The Therapeutic Potential of Pyroptosis in Melanoma

Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death characterized by the rupture of the plasma membranes and release of cellular content leading to inflammatory reaction. Four cellular mechanisms inducing pyroptosis have been reported thus far, including the (i) caspase 1-mediated canonical, (ii) caspase 4/5/11-m...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nadia Zaffaroni, Giovanni L. Beretta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/2/1285
Description
Summary:Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death characterized by the rupture of the plasma membranes and release of cellular content leading to inflammatory reaction. Four cellular mechanisms inducing pyroptosis have been reported thus far, including the (i) caspase 1-mediated canonical, (ii) caspase 4/5/11-mediated non-canonical, (iii) caspase 3/8-mediated and (iv) caspase-independent pathways. Although discovered as a defense mechanism protecting cells from infections of intracellular pathogens, pyroptosis plays roles in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis of tumors, as well as in treatment response to antitumor drugs and, consequently, patient outcome. Pyroptosis induction following antitumor therapies has been reported in several tumor types, including lung, colorectal and gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma. This review provides an overview of the cellular pathways of pyroptosis and discusses the therapeutic potential of pyroptosis induction in cancer, particularly in melanoma.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067