Apoptosis failure linked to cancer development

The biological process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is essential for maintaining healthy human tissue. An adult body replaces approximately 330 billion cells daily, primarily through blood cells and the digestive epithelium. During apoptosis, a cell follows a specific internal program to condense its nucleus and fragment its DNA, allowing neighboring cells to absorb it without causing inflammation.

Cancer occurs when this regulatory mechanism fails. When cells resist these orders to die, they accumulate uncontrollably, leading to tumor development. This process typically involves several stages: initiation via genetic mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, promotion through excessive proliferation driven by environmental or hormonal signals, and progression as additional anomalies accumulate. In France, cancer remains a leading cause of mortality, accounting for approximately one-quarter of deaths in 2023.