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The role of autophagy in resistance to targeted therapies

Luigi Mele1, Vitale Del Vecchio1, Davide Liccardo1

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli" Naples, Italy.

Cancer Treatment Reviews
|June 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, is crucial in cancer drug resistance. Inhibiting autophagy alongside targeted therapies shows promise but requires further research for optimal cancer treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Autophagy is a cellular degradation process vital for homeostasis and stress response.
  • Autophagy significantly contributes to cancer development, progression, and drug resistance.
  • Targeted therapies offer specificity but face challenges with drug resistance in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on autophagy's role in drug resistance following targeted cancer therapy.
  • To highlight the efficacy and limitations of combining autophagy inhibitors with targeted treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pre-clinical and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of studies investigating autophagy inhibition in conjunction with targeted cancer therapies.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy plays a key role in mediating resistance to targeted cancer therapies.
  • Combining autophagy inhibitors with targeted therapies demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits.
  • Pre-clinical and clinical studies show varied results, indicating a need for further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy is a critical factor in overcoming targeted therapy resistance in various cancers.
  • Autophagy inhibitors represent a promising strategy for enhancing targeted therapy efficacy.
  • Further research is essential to optimize combination therapies involving autophagy inhibition and targeted treatments.
Keywords:
AutophagyDrug resistanceMonoclonal antibodiesTargeted therapyTyrosine kinase inhibitors

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