TRAIL

TNF-related apoptotic-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a naturally-occurring cytokine, assists in initiating the apoptotic process. TRAIL may be useful as a cancer therapy due to its death receptor binding properties for DR4 and DR5. This must be taken into account when engineering targeted treatments so normal, healthy tissue is not targeted and subsequently destroyed. TRAIL also binds to decoy apoptotic receptors such as DCR1 and DCR2, allowing for the activation of the inflammatory response and further leading the cell to apoptosis via transcription of specific genes. TRAIL may serve as part of a possible targeted treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. If the protein can be transported to only cancerous cells via liposome and binding to extracellular cancer antigens, it may be able to assist in the design of an effective, holistic treatment for the patient.