• The effect of signaling pathways on the induction and inhibition of apoptosis in cervical cancer
  • Tamanna Rahimpour Golafshani,1,*
    1. Department of Cellular& Molecular Biology, Comprehensive Health Research Center, Islamic Azad University,Babol Branch,Babol,Iran


  • Introduction: Cervical cancer (CC) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide. High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered one of the major factors in the development of cervical cancer. The viral structure of human papillomavirus, particularly its oncoproteins such as E6 and E7, plays a crucial role in modulating signaling pathways through active molecules involved in cancer progression. Signaling pathways and molecular networks are recognized for their vital roles in regulating essential cellular processes such as growth, differentiation, and cell death. Therefore, they are significantly involved in the initiation of cancer as well as its potential treatment. Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that encompasses intrinsic and extrinsic pathways .By regulating the death of damaged and aged cells, apoptosis controls processes such as growth, differentiation, and cell death . Different signaling pathways play a role in the progression of cervical cancer by affecting apoptosis . Based on review articles and the importance of this subject, this study explores the effects of various signaling pathways that can induce or inhibit apoptosis in cervical cancer.
  • Methods: To complete this review, we searched for terms such as studies on cervical cancer, signaling pathways involved in cervical cancer, and apoptosis from 2021 to 2025 in online medical databases including Google Scholar, NCBI, PubMed, and reputable journals. We analyzed the effects of signaling pathways on the induction and inhibition of apoptosis in cervical cancer.
  • Results: Disruption in most signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, P53, Notch, NF-κB, TLR, PI3K/ Akt/mTOR, TGF-β, JAK/STAT, and ERK/MAPK leads to the inhibition of apoptosis, thereby promoting the growth and survival of cancer cells. However, under certain conditions, the TGF- β and JAK/STAT signaling pathways can induce apoptosis.
  • Conclusion: The reviewed studies and articles emphasize the critical role of various signaling pathways in regulating apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Disruption of these pathways contributes to the pathogenesis of cervical cancer and impacts tumor survival, progression, and resistance to treatment. A deeper understanding of how these signaling mechanisms interact and their context-dependent effects on apoptosis could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies. Future research should focus on exploring the potential of targeting these pathways to restore natural apoptotic processes and enhance the effectiveness of current cancer therapies. Additionally, identifying biomarkers associated with specific signaling pathway alterations could aid in developing new methods for early detection and prognostic prediction in cervical cancer.
  • Keywords: Cervical Cancer , signaling pathways, apoptosis