Cytotoxicity Through Molecular Targets Involved in Apoptosis. Where Should We Further Search for Mushrooms Functionalities in Future Cancer Treatment?

Apoptosis is considered as a classical way of programmed cell death and important control mechanism of cell homeostasis. Cancer cells acquire different instruments to circumvent programmed cell death. This promotes uncontrolled growth and frequently confers chemoresistance to tumor cells. Activation of apoptotic signaling pathway has been a target of anti-cancer drugs in an induction of cytotoxicity. The mechanism of apoptosis is complex and includes many pathways. This chapter will focus on the current knowledge of apoptosis-triggering approaches in cancer therapy, as well as on mushroom extracts and isolated compounds acting as initiators of apoptosis through regulation of genes expression involved in cancer cell death. Furthermore, we pointed out directions for novel search for mushroom functionalities in this experimental field and discuss the possible further steps for exploration on the in vitro and in vivo levels.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis, Molecular targets, Mushrooms, Cancer cells.