Breast cancer: Small molecules targeting apoptosis, a prospective approach to safe scientific success

Breast carcinoma represents the second leading cause of cancer death in developed countries amongst women. Current cytotoxic chemotherapy plays an important role in the management of patients with hormone-insensitive or metastatic breast carcinoma, although most of them ultimately develop recurrences. Therefore, there is a need for novel targets and treatment strategies in patients with advanced breast carcinoma that is refractory to conventional chemotherapy. This paper summarizes current knowledge on breast cancer targets and molecular mechanisms that follows apoptosis induction.