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The two faces of autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aisling Anderson1, Jeff O'Sullivan1

  • 1School of Dental Science, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

Archives of Oral Biology
|December 19, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Autophagy, a cellular process, has a dual role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). While it can suppress tumors, it also promotes cancer cell survival and chemoresistance.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Death Pathways

Background:

  • Autophagy plays a complex role in cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding autophagy's function in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on autophagy in OSCC.
  • To investigate autophagy's roles in tumor suppression and survival.
  • To examine autophagy's influence on chemotherapeutic resistance in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar.
  • Keywords included "autophagy", "OSCC", "tumor survival", "chemoresistance", and related terms.
  • Review of existing research on autophagy's function in oral cancer.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy up-regulation promotes tumor cell survival in the tumor microenvironment.
  • In healthy cells, autophagy prevents DNA mutations.
  • Cancer cells utilize autophagy for survival during chemotherapy, leading to drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • The role of autophagy in cancer remains ambiguous and clinically challenging.
  • Clarifying autophagy's role (preventive vs. causative) in OSCC is essential.
  • Modulating autophagy may impact OSCC patient outcomes.
Keywords:
AutophagyHead and neck cancerOral cancerOral malignanciesOral microbiomeOral squamous cell carcinoma

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