Caspase-6 is a cysteine protease that plays a role in apoptosis and acts as a direct activator for caspase-8. It is thought to play a role in chromatin condensation and is thought to play a role in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Historically, it has been difficult to pinpoint a specific inhibitor for caspase-6, but several are currently available, including both peptide and small-molecule inhibitors.