程序性细胞死亡在维持多细胞生物体内平衡和完整性方面发挥着至关重要的作用，其失调导致许多疾病的发病机制。程序性细胞死亡受到一系列大分子和小分子信使（包括神经酰胺）的调节。内源性神经酰胺具有不同的功能，这些功能受到其定位和靶分子存在的影响。本文概述了目前对神经酰胺的了解及其对各种类型的程序性细胞死亡的影响，包括细胞凋亡、失巢凋亡、巨自噬和线粒体自噬以及坏死性凋亡。此外，它还强调了二氢神经酰胺作为一类新型生物活性鞘脂的出现及其下游靶标，以及它们在癌细胞生长、耐药性和肿瘤转移中的未来作用。版权所有 © 2023 比亚韦斯托克医科大学。由 Elsevier B.V. 出版。保留所有权利。

Programmed cell death plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis and integrity of multicellular organisms, and its dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of many diseases. Programmed cell death is regulated by a range of macromolecules and low-molecular messengers, including ceramides. Endogenous ceramides have different functions, that are influenced by their localization and the presence of their target molecules. This article provides an overview of the current understanding of ceramides and their impact on various types of programmed cell death, including apoptosis, anoikis, macroautophagy and mitophagy, and necroptosis. Moreover, it highlights the emergence of dihydroceramides as a new class of bioactive sphingolipids and their downstream targets as well as their future roles in cancer cell growth, drug resistance and tumor metastasis.Copyright © 2023 Medical University of Bialystok. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.