Table 1.

Difference between anoikis and apoptotic cell death based on the definition, induction, and function.

Anoikis	Apoptosis
Programmed cell death, occurring in cells, separated from the extracellular matrix. Induced upon the separation of a cell from the extracellular matrix. Prevents the adherent-independent cell growth and the attachment of cells to an improper matrix, thus preventing the colonization of distant organs.	Programmed cell death, occurring in cells that are redundant, functionally incomplete, or dangerous for an organism. Induced when a cell becomes redundant, functionally incomplete, or dangerous for an organism. Mostly removes useful cells during the fethal/larval development and also the potentially harmful cells.