citotoksiske

Citotoksiske refers to a biological process or substance that is toxic to cells. The term originates from Greek, with "cyto" meaning cell and "toxic" meaning poisonous. Citotoxicity can occur through various mechanisms, including direct damage to cellular structures, interference with essential cellular functions, or triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis). Many natural and synthetic compounds exhibit citotoxic properties.

In the context of medicine and biology, citotoxicity is a critical concept. For instance, many chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer work by inducing citotoxicity in rapidly dividing cancer cells, leading to their destruction. Similarly, certain immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes, play a vital role in the body's defense by identifying and eliminating infected or cancerous cells through citotoxic mechanisms. Conversely, unwanted citotoxicity can be detrimental, for example, when certain environmental toxins or drug side effects damage healthy cells, leading to tissue damage or disease. The study of citotoxicity is essential for understanding disease progression, developing therapeutic interventions, and assessing the safety of various substances.