Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Liquid biopsies for BRAF V600E assessment and monitoring in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a real-world study of a tertiary cancer center.

Endocrine·2026
Same author

Identification of the atypical antipsychotic Asenapine as a direct survivin inhibitor with anticancer properties and sensitizing effects to conventional therapies.

Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·2024
Same author

Immunohistochemical evaluation of cyclin D1 and p63 in odontogenic keratocyst and unicystic ameloblastoma.

Revista espanola de patologia : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Anatomia Patologica y de la Sociedad Espanola de Citologia·2024
Same author

Deregulation of lactate permeability using a small-molecule transporter (Lactrans-1) disturbs intracellular pH and triggers cancer cell death.

Biochemical pharmacology·2024
Same author

Small molecule anion carriers facilitate lactate transport in model liposomes and cells.

iScience·2023
Same author

Pre-treatment risk factors to predict early cisplatin-related nephrotoxicity in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiation: A single Institution experience.

Oral oncology·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Use of LysoTracker to Detect Programmed Cell Death in Embryos and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells
12:44

Use of LysoTracker to Detect Programmed Cell Death in Embryos and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: October 11, 2012

Understanding autophagy in cell death control.

Francesca Platini1, Ricardo Pérez-Tomás, Santiago Ambrosio

  • 1Dept. of Food, Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (DISCAFF), University of East Piedmont A. Avogadro, Faculty of Pharmacy, Novara, Italy.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|March 11, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Autophagy, a cell survival process, can suppress tumors but also promote cancer. Modulating autophagy and apoptosis offers novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body
06:02

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body

Published on: August 4, 2022

In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice
08:40

In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice

Published on: November 22, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Use of LysoTracker to Detect Programmed Cell Death in Embryos and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells
12:44

Use of LysoTracker to Detect Programmed Cell Death in Embryos and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: October 11, 2012

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body
06:02

Analyzing Starvation-Induced Autophagy in the Drosophila melanogaster Larval Fat Body

Published on: August 4, 2022

In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice
08:40

In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice

Published on: November 22, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Autophagy is a conserved degradation pathway crucial for cell survival under stress.
  • Autophagy exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter.
  • Conventional cancer therapies primarily induce apoptosis for cytotoxic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular interplay between autophagy and cell death (apoptosis) in cancer.
  • To explore novel therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy modulation for cancer treatment.
  • To understand how autophagy influences cancer development and response to therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current knowledge on autophagy and apoptosis in cancer.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways shared by autophagy and apoptosis.
  • Examination of therapeutic interventions modulating autophagy for cancer therapy.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy induction can lead to cell death in apoptosis-resistant cancers, suggesting a tumor-suppressive role.
  • Conversely, massive apoptosis induction by therapies can promote malignant cell growth.
  • Pharmacological inhibition of autophagy may enhance apoptosis, offering a therapeutic avenue.

Conclusions:

  • The balance between autophagy and apoptosis determines cell fate (survival or death) in cancer.
  • Modulating autophagy presents promising therapeutic potential for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy.
  • Further research into the complex interplay of autophagy and cell death is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.