Pyroptosis and Its Role in Cervical Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Pyroptosis is a kind of programmed cell death, which is characterized by pore formation in the plasma membrane and the release of large amounts of inflammatory mediators. Pyroptosis is associated with diseases such as infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration and cancer. In this review, the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis together with its role in the initiation, progression and treatment of cervical cancer are summarized and discussed. ABSTRACT: Pyroptosis, an inflammatory programmed cell death, is characterized by the caspase-mediated pore formation of plasma membranes and the release of large quantities of inflammatory mediators. In recent years, the morphological characteristics, induction mechanism and action process of pyroptosis have been gradually unraveled. As a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality, cervical cancer is seriously harmful to women’s health. It has been found that pyroptosis is closely related to the initiation and development of cervical cancer. In this review the mechanisms of pyroptosis and its role in the initiation, progression and treatment application of cervical cancer are summarized and discussed.