Defining a role for the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins in prostate cancer.

The aim of this paper is to review the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins, a recently discovered group of caspase inhibitors. We will briefly review the relevance of apoptosis in prostate cancer and some of the control mechanisms, before describing the structure, function and regulation of these molecules. Lastly, we will consider the evidence for the role that IAPs may have in cancer and the implications for prostate cancer in particular. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2001) 4, 28-32