The role of autophagy in anticancer therapy: promises and uncertainties.

摘要: Autophagy (literally self-eating) is a catabolic mechanism involved in the recycling and turnover of cytoplasmic constituents. Although often referred to as type II programmed cell death, autophagy primarily survival rather than death response different stress stimuli. process which part cytoplasm or entire organelles are sequestered into double-membrane vesicles, called autophagosomes, ultimately fuse with lysosomes degrade their contents. Studies show that associated number pathological conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases, myopathies neurodegenerative disorders. With respect it has been suggested early stages tumourigenesis downregulation autophagy-related (ATG) genes. Indeed, several ATG genes display tumour suppressor function, Beclin1, frequently hemizygously deleted breast cancer cells. Conversely, advanced during anticancer therapy, may promote cells adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, thorough understanding types prerequisite determine an autophagy-activating autophagy-inhibiting treatment strategy.