Cancer cells develop the ability to resist cell death through multiple strategies. One key mechanism is the inactivation of pro-apoptotic signals and the activation of anti-apoptotic pathways. For example, mutations in the TP53 gene, which encodes the tumor suppressor protein p53, can prevent apoptosis by disrupting its role in DNA damage response. Additionally, overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins like BCL-2 can inhibit the apoptotic process, allowing cancer cells to survive longer than normal cells.
