Apoptosis and nuclear factor-kappa B: A tale of association and dissociation

It is not clear why on treatment with certain killer cytokines or chemother apeutic agents, some cells undergo apoptosis while others do not. The delin eation of sensitivity/resistance pathways should provide a more specific th erapy for cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases. Most cells die eith er by apoptosis or by necrosis. The biochemical pathway that mediates these two modes of cell death has recently been described. The nuclear factor (N F)-kappa B and the genes regulated by this transcription factor have been s hown to play a critical role in induction of resistance to killer agents. T hus, inhibitors of NF-kappa B activation have a potential in overcoming res istance to apoptosis induced by various agents. The evidence for and agains t such a notion is discussed. BIOCHEM PHARMACOL 60;8:1033-1039, 2000. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Inc.