Fig. 2From: Radiotherapy modulates tumor cell fate decisions: a reviewThe mechanisms of RT-induced pyroptosis in tumor cells.RT-induced pyroptosis in tumor cells through the inflammasome pathway and the non-inflammasome pathway. In the inflammasome pathway, NLRP3 and AIM2 recruit ASC and pro-caspase 1 in response to RT, leading to the activation of caspase-1. Caspase-1 cleaves GSDMD, exposes N-PFD, and forms pores on the plasma membrane; caspase-1 cleaves pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18, leading to maturation of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and released from GSDMD wells. In the non-inflammasome pathway, RT activates caspase-3 and -8 through the intrinsic pathway and the extrinsic pathway. Caspase-3 cleaves GSDME and caspase-8 cleaves GSDMC, forming GSDME and GSDMC pores in the plasma membrane, respectively, and inducing tumor cell pyroptosis. ASC: adaptor apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD; DAMP: damage-associated molecular pattern; DR: death receptor, GSDM: gasdermin; N-PFD: N-terminal pore-forming domain; RT: radiotherapy; TRAIL2: TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand 2Back to article page