从最早的表征开始，人们就认识到调节性（程序性）细胞死亡在癌症中发挥着作用。随着我们对不同类型的程序性细胞死亡过程及其分子控制的理解不断深入，我们能够操纵这些过程以对抗癌症等的技术也在不断进步。在这篇综述中，我们描述了不同形式的受调节细胞死亡在癌症发展中的作用及其潜在的治疗开发。本着这种精神，我们探索 BH3 模拟物的开发和使用，这是一类独特的药物，可以直接激活细胞凋亡机制来治疗癌症。最后，我们解决了该领域面临的关键挑战，以改善这些疗法的使用以及为此所做的努力。版权所有 © 2024 Elsevier Inc. 保留所有权利。

From its earliest characterization, it has been recognized that there is a role for regulated (programmed) cell death in cancer. As our understanding of the different types of programmed cell death processes and their molecular control has advanced, so have the technologies that allow us to manipulate these processes to, for example, fight against cancer. In this review, we describe the roles of the different forms of regulated cell death in the development of cancer as well as their potential therapeutic exploitation. In that vein, we explore the development and use of BH3-mimetics, a unique class of drugs that can directly activate the apoptotic cell death machinery to treat cancer. Finally, we address key challenges that face the field to improve the use of these therapeutics and the efforts that are being undertaken to do so.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.