THE ROLE OF APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE: A MEDICAL BIOLOGY PERSPECTIVE

Аннотация

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a tightly regulated biological process essential for development, immune regulation, and cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of apoptosis contributes to a wide range of pathological conditions including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. This paper reviews the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, with a focus on the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, and explores its significance in human health and pathology. By understanding the fundamental biology of apoptotic processes, researchers and clinicians can identify novel therapeutic targets for disease prevention and treatment. Keywords: Apoptosis, programmed cell death, caspases, intrinsic pathway, extrinsic pathway, Bcl-2 family, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, therapeutic targets, medical biology.