Mechanisms of apoptosis in ovarian cancer: The small molecule targeting

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecologic cancer cancer among women. About 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial, (ovarian carcinomas) thought to arise from the ovarian surface epithelium. Diagnosed usually at clinically advanced stages, many patients show poor response to chemotherapy, with resistance and recurrent disease being prevalent. The cell origin and the mechanism of neoplastic transformation of this malignancy are poorly understood. Apoptosis is crucial in normal ovarian development and function; and gonadotropins play a significant role in modulating the expression of several pro-apoptotic and pro-survival genes and other molecules in the ovary. Targeted therapeutic strategies using small molecule protein kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies have been explored in the management of ovarian carcinomas. These molecules, used in combination with chemotherapy, have shown better prognosis in ovarian cancer. With several ongoing clinical trials using kinase inhibitors and the ideal targets being sought after, significant improvements of patients suffering with ovarian carcinomas are expected in the near future. This manuscript aims to review ovarian apoptotic mechanisms and the therapeutic progress in the use of small molecule kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies as targets for inducing apoptosis in ovarian cancer.