After the advent of targeted therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), much work is being done to provide a comprehensive description of the different signaling pathways contributing to cell survival and proliferation in this tumor. Apoptotic signaling mediated by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) represents an important mechanism of tumor surveillance, but its importance in the development of HCC is not known. [...]

The fact that the receptors for the TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) are almost invariably expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the rationale for the employment of TRAIL-receptors targeting compounds for the therapy of patients affected by this tumor. Yet, first reports on the use of these bioactive agents provided disappointing results. [...]