Redefining the roles of apoptotic factors in carcinogenesis

ABSTRACTIn a recent study we reported that mammalian cells exposed to stress such as ionizing radiation can survive with activation of caspase-3 or caspase-7. We found that sublethal activation of the executioner caspases promotes chemical- and radiation-induced genetic instability and carcinogenesis, in contrast to their perceived roles as tumor suppressors.