Role of autophagy in the maintenance and function of cancer stem cells.

摘要: Recent advances in experimental technologies and cancer models have made possible to demonstrate that the tumor is a dynamic system comprising heterogeneous populations of cells organized hierarchical fashion with stem (CSCs) at apex. CSCs are immature characterized by self-renewal property long-term repopulation potential. been causally linked initiation, propagation, spreading, recurrence relapse as well resistance anticancer therapy. A growing body evidence suggests function physiology may be influenced genetic/epigenetic factors environment. In this context, macroautophagy lysosomal degradative process (herein referred autophagy) critical for adaptive response stress preservation cellular tissue homeostasis all eukaryotes crucial role origin, maintenance invasiveness CSCs. The activation autophagic machinery also considered an perturbation microenvironment, caused instance Nevertheless, compelling preclinical clinical on cytoprotective autophagy still missing. Here, we summarize results contribution how it impacts tumorigenesis progression. We discuss therapeutical potential modulation means eradicate