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Ligand-Based Targeting of Apoptosis in Cancer: The Potential of Recombinant Human Apoptosis Ligand 2/Tumor Necrosis Factor–Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (rhApo2L/TRAIL)

Avi Ashkenazi, Pamela Holland, S. Gail Eckhardt

From the Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA; Department of Oncology, Amgen Inc, Seattle, WA; and the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO

Corresponding author: Avi Ashkenazi, PhD, Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080; e-mail: ashkenazi.avi{at}gene.com

Cancer is a leading cause of premature human death and commands considerable research attention. Apoptosis (type 1 programmed cell death) is critical in maintaining tissue homeostasis in metazoan organisms, and its dysregulation underpins the initiation and progression of cancer. Conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy can induce apoptosis as a secondary consequence of inflicting cell damage. However, more direct and selective strategies to manipulate the apoptotic process in cancer cells are emerging as potential therapeutic tools. Genetic and biochemical understanding of the cellular signaling mechanisms that control apoptosis has increased substantially during the last decade. These advances provide a strong scientific framework for developing several types of targeted proapoptotic anticancer therapies. One promising class of agents is the proapoptotic receptor agonists. Of these, recombinant human apoptosis ligand 2/tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (rhApo2L/TRAIL)—an optimized soluble form of an endogenous apoptosis-inducing ligand—is unique in that it activates two related proapoptotic receptors, DR4 and DR5. Preclinical data indicate that rhApo2L/TRAIL can induce apoptosis in a broad range of human cancer cell lines while sparing most normal cell types. In vitro, and in various in vivo tumor xenograft models, rhApo2L/TRAIL exhibits single-agent antitumor activity and/or cooperation with certain conventional and targeted therapies. Preclinical safety studies in nonhuman primates show rhApo2L/TRAIL to be well tolerated. Moreover, early clinical trial data suggest that rhApo2L/TRAIL is generally safe and provide preliminary evidence for potential antitumor activity. Clinical studies are ongoing to assess the safety and efficacy of this novel agent in combination with established anticancer therapies.

Supported in part by Genentech Inc. Genentech also provided support for third-party writing assistance.

Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and author contributions are found at the end of this article.