When it’s time for cells to die, they literally commit suicide (apoptosis) by ‘drinking’ a suicide potion called cytochrome-C which is stored between the mitochondrial walls (wall is hollow). In a number of cancers a protein belonging to the BCL2 family like the one mentioned here, is overproduced making the mitochondrial wall less permeable, thus preventing the ‘suicide potion’ from being released. So the cells survive past their shelf life - possibly even becoming immortal and start to accumulate. Blocking BCL2 has long been a target. Good to see advances being made in that area.
"What a piece of work is man..."