[Apoptosis and diseases].

Apoptosis, a form of cell death defined by morphological and biochemical characteristics, is involved in many important physiological phenomena including embryogenesis, organ involution, maintenance of homeostasis and biodefense systems of the body. Impaired regulation of apoptosis may play a part in the etiology of malformation and disfunction of various organs causing autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency diseases or neurodegenerative diseases. Apoptosis is also related to cancer. Elucidation of the mechanism of apoptosis may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases, and its specific regulation may lead to exciting new therapies for these diseases.