CELL BIOLOGY OF APOPTOSIS AND NECROSIS, MUTATION, CARCINOGENESIS, AND ONCOGENESIS: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

ell survival and cell death are fundamental biological processes that maintain tissue homeostasis and organismal development. Among the various forms of cell death, apoptosis and necrosis represent two distinct mechanisms with different molecular pathways and physiological consequences. Apoptosis is a highly regulated process essential for embryonic development, immune system regulation, and elimination of damaged cells, whereas necrosis is typically associated with severe cellular injury and inflammatory responses. Genetic mutations affecting cellular regulatory pathways can disrupt the balance between proliferation and cell death, contributing to carcinogenesis and oncogenesis. Carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving genetic and epigenetic alterations that transform normal cells into malignant cells. Oncogenesis encompasses the molecular mechanisms responsible for tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Recent advances in molecular biology, genomics, and cancer research have significantly improved understanding of these processes and facilitated the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. This review examines the cellular mechanisms of apoptosis and necrosis, the role of mutations in carcinogenesis, and the molecular basis of oncogenesis.