Downmodulation of dimethyl transferase activity enhances tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

One of the major obstacles in curing prostate cancer is the development of drug resistance. It is not only imperative to discover the molecular basis of resistance but also to find therapeutic agents that can disrupt the resistant pathways. Tumor necrosis factor TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand TRAIL-like ligands or agonist TRAIL-receptor monoclonal antibodies have entered phase I and II clinical trials with a very limited cytotoxic profile when used systemically in a variety of cancers.

Sphingolipids and the immune system.

The importance of sphingolipids, not only as components of plasma membranes but also as key players in different physiological and pathophysiological cellular events, is now emerging. This review gathers together what the authors feel are the most relevant data, present in the literature, regarding the roles and the effects of sphingolipids, such as ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), sphingosine (SP) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), on the development, activation and regulation of the immune system.