Mechanisms and Implications of Anastasis, the Reversal of Apoptosis

Abstract: 

The study of cell death has advanced significantly since the development of microscopy in the 19th century, allowing for a deeper understanding of regulated cell death processes like apoptosis and specific types of necrosis. In this process, a new form of cell recovery called anastasis has been proposed. Anastasis refers to the reversal of apoptosis, where cells survive and recover from apoptotic damage following executioner caspase activation. While the discovery of anastasis has transformed the understanding of cellular recovery from near-death states, it may present new challenges for therapeutic approaches targeting cancer and neurodegeneration due to its resistance to pre-programmed cell death. For example, many cancer treatments that rely on the induction of apoptosis may have been rendered unsuccessful in relapse prevention due to anastasis. This review explores recent findings on anastasis, focusing on its molecular mechanisms, implications in cancer and neuronal pathologies, and its impact on cell survival, migration, and disease progression.