Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a mechanism often disrupted in cancer cells. Calcium ions play a dual role in apoptosis; they can promote cell survival or trigger apoptosis depending on the context. In some cancers, elevated intracellular calcium levels contribute to resistance against apoptosis, allowing cancer cells to survive and proliferate. Understanding the specific calcium-mediated pathways involved in apoptosis could offer insights into restoring apoptosis in cancer cells.
