Autophagy in brain tumors: molecular mechanisms, challenges, and therapeutic opportunities

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Oncology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Autophagy is vital for cellular homeostasis and survival, influencing disease development, especially in cancers.
• Brain tumors cause significant mortality and morbidity, often developing treatment resistance through genetic and molecular alterations.
• Investigating molecular mechanisms like autophagy is crucial for understanding brain tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of autophagy in brain tumor development.
• To explore the molecular pathways regulating autophagy in brain tumors.
• To discuss the dual function of autophagy as a tumor suppressor and promoter of tumor survival.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on autophagy mechanisms in brain tumors.
• Analysis of molecular pathways controlling autophagy.
• Examination of autophagy's impact on glioblastoma, glioma, and ependymoma.

Main Results:

• Autophagy exhibits a dual role in brain tumors, acting as both a tumor suppressor and a survival mechanism.
• Autophagy influences the progression of various brain tumors, including glioblastoma, glioma, and ependymoma.
• Autophagy impacts glioblastoma metastasis, drug resistance, and interacts with cellular stress responses like hypoxia.

Conclusions:

• Autophagy can inhibit brain tumor growth by inducing apoptosis, presenting a potential therapeutic target.
• Targeting autophagy may offer novel treatment strategies for brain tumors.
• Further research into the complex role of autophagy in brain tumors is warranted for therapeutic development.