Exploring innovations in cell death for the study and treatment of non-communicable diseases.

Abstract

Cell death is a common occurrence in human physiological conditions which plays a pivotal role in the development and homeostasis of cells. In fact, the dysregulation of this process constitutes a scenario in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. NCDs represents a staggering ca. 75% of all deaths worldwide. Although traditional treatments have played a crucial role against NCDs, innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. The modulation of regulated cell death (RCD) has emerged as a promising therapy because recent research has revealed different pathways capable of killing damaged cells with the activation of a cell-specific immune response for NCD types. Apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis and cuproptosis are the main forms of RCD identified. The complexity of the mechanism and interconnectivity of the different RCD pathways have constituted the greatest challenges for applied analytical approaches, but the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning promotes an expectation to catalyze the understanding of cell death processes. By targeting RCD, new treatments may offer hope for better management and potential reversal of NCDs, thus improving the quality of life of a significant proportion of individuals and contributing to alleviating a global public health problem.