Smac mimetics, also known as IAP (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins) antagonists, are small molecules designed to mimic the activity of the endogenous protein Smac/DIABLO. They play a crucial role in promoting apoptosis by inhibiting IAPs, which are proteins that prevent programmed cell death. In the context of cancer, where cells evade apoptosis to survive and proliferate, Smac mimetics hold significant therapeutic potential.
