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Autophagy: In the cROSshairs of cancer

Heather Graham Hambright1, Rita Ghosh2

  • 1Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, South Texas Research Facility Campus, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, South Texas Research Facility Campus, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|October 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Tumor survival involves redox disruption and autophagy. Understanding their interplay with reactive oxygen species (ROS) is key for effective cancer therapies, especially in melanoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tumors utilize redox disruption (oxidative stress) and high autophagy for survival.
  • The relationship between redox disruption and autophagy signaling is not well understood.
  • Autophagy contributes to resistance against chemotherapeutics, particularly those generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the roles of autophagy and redox signaling in tumor initiation and maintenance, using melanoma as a model.
  • To investigate the crosstalk between ROS and autophagy during pharmacological intervention and its impact on cell fate.
  • To discuss the role of autophagy in cell fate decisions and as a cell death mechanism following treatment with ROS-generating agents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and commentary on existing preclinical and clinical data.
  • Analysis of the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy signaling.
  • Discussion of technical aspects in evaluating redox and autophagy pathways.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy plays a significant role in cell fate decisions following treatment with ROS-generating agents.
  • The crosstalk between ROS and autophagy influences therapeutic outcomes and chemoresistance.
  • Autophagy can function as a cell death mechanism under certain conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Dual targeting of redox and autophagy pathways presents therapeutic challenges but holds promise for cancer treatment.
  • Further research is needed to advance both basic and translational aspects of targeting these pathways.
  • Understanding the complex relationship between redox and autophagy is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
AutophagyCancerCell fateReactive oxygen speciesTherapy

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