Peculiarities of apoptosis induction and cell metabolism in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines exposed to free and hpma copolymer bound adriamycin

摘要

Cell death can occur by two morphologically and biochemically distinct mechanisms: necrosis and apoptosis. Necrosis is accompanied by loss of membrane integrity, changes in the structure of organelles, random digestion of DNA, and ultimately disintegration. Apoptosis is characterized by membran e blebbing, cell shrinkage, intact organelles, non-random fragmentation of DNA, cell fragmentation, and ultimately secondary necrosis. Consequently, the type of external stimuli may be decisive in directing the cells into one of cell death pathways.