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Chirurgia 2013 June;26(3):269-73

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Morphological and molecular features of apoptosis and its role in colorectal cancer prevention

Sivero L. ¹, Galloro G. ¹, Formisano C. ¹, Sollazzo V. ¹, Quarto G. ¹, Romano S. ², Romano M. F. ²

¹ Department of General, Geriatric Oncologic Surgery and Advanced Technologies Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy; ² Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnological Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy

Apoptosis is a form of cell suicide that is essential for the control of cell growth in multicellular organisms. Apoptosis has a very important biological significance in mammals, both during embryonic life and adulthood. Defects in the apoptosis machinery cause several human diseases, including cancer. The induction of apoptosis is now recognized as a major strategy for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, with the highest prevalence in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Aim of the present article is to review the mechanism and biological significance of apoptosis and highlight the efficacy of natural agents that target apoptosis in colorectal cancer prevention.