Unraveling the mysteries of IGF-1 signaling in melanoma.

The inherent ability of a cell to undergo apoptosis governs a number of developmental processes essential to proper mammalian development. Into adulthood, the pathways that potentiate the apoptotic response are extremely diverse and finely regulated to prevent potential diseases. Of these, cancer is often associated with loss of an apoptotic response. Hanahan and Weinberg (2000) list evasion of apoptosis as a hallmark feature acquired during neoplastic transformation. The impact of this event is dramatic on several levels; avoidance of apoptosis not only prevents programmed cell death in an array of cell types but also promotes chemotherapeutic resistance during anticancer regimens.