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Autophagy in tumour cell death.
Robin L Macintosh1, Kevin M Ryan
1Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK.
Seminars in Cancer Biology
|June 19, 2013
Summary
Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, plays a critical role in cancer cell death decisions. This review explores how autophagy influences tumor cell survival and demise under various stresses.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cellular decisions regarding life or death are crucial for organismal health and disease progression, particularly in cancer.
- Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process involving the degradation of cytoplasmic components via lysosomes.
- Macroautophagy (autophagy) engulfs cellular material in autophagosomes for lysosomal breakdown, aiding in cellular quality control and energy provision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted role of autophagy in regulating cell death decisions within tumor cells.
- To elucidate how autophagy's dual function (cytoprotective or cytotoxic) impacts cancer progression and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies investigating autophagy in cancer cell death.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which autophagy is modulated by cellular stress in tumor microenvironments.
- Synthesis of current understanding regarding autophagy's impact on cancer cell fate.
Main Results:
- Autophagy can promote cancer cell survival by removing damaged components and providing energy during stress.
- Conversely, autophagy can also induce cancer cell death, acting as a tumor suppressor mechanism.
- The specific outcome of autophagy in cancer depends on the cellular context, tumor type, and microenvironmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Autophagy exhibits a complex, context-dependent role in cancer, influencing both cell survival and death.
- Understanding autophagy modulation is critical for developing novel cancer therapies that target cell death pathways.
- Further research is needed to fully harness autophagy's therapeutic potential in oncology.
Keywords:
ApoptosisAutophagyCMLCQCTLCancerCell deathDAMPECMHDACiMOMPPDACRCCROSSAHATKichloroquinechronic myeloid leukaemiacytotoxic T-lymphocytedanger-associated molecular patternextracellular matrixhistone deacetylase inhibitormitochondrial outer membrane permiabilisationpancreatic ductal adenocarcinomareactive oxygen speciesrenal cell carcinomasuberoylanilide hydroxamic acidtyrosine kinase inhibitor
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