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Autophagy-related genes and encoded proteins' prognostic significance in various cancer types: A molecular

Eman A Amr1, Ola A El-Feky1, Nahla E El-Ashmawy2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, 31527, Egypt.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Gene Regulatory Mechanisms
|December 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy, a cellular recycling process, plays complex roles in cancer development and treatment. Research is exploring autophagy-related genes and proteins as potential cancer biomarkers, but validation is challenging.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Autophagy is a cellular degradation process with dual roles in cancer, influencing tumor development and therapy resistance.
  • Clinical trials targeting autophagy are emerging, driven by promising preclinical data.
  • Autophagy machinery components, including autophagy-related genes (ATGs) and proteins (Atgs), are investigated for their prognostic value in malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in evaluating the biomarker potential of clinically significant ATGs and their encoded proteins in human cancers.
  • To discuss challenges and trends in the field, particularly the paradoxical roles of autophagy in tumor biology.
  • To highlight the need for validation of reliable autophagy-related biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of research on the association between ATGs/Atgs and cancer prognosis.
  • Exploration of current trends and challenges in biomarker discovery for autophagy-related targets.

Main Results:

  • Numerous studies link autophagy-related genes and proteins to various cancers, but outcomes remain uncertain.
  • The validation of reliable autophagy-related biomarkers is hindered by the complex roles of autophagy and limited primary research.
  • Significant progress has been made in identifying potential autophagy-related biomarkers, yet further validation is required.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy-related genes and proteins show promise as biomarkers for cancer prognosis and treatment.
  • Further research and validation are crucial to overcome the paradoxical roles of autophagy and establish reliable biomarkers.
  • The field is advancing, with ongoing efforts to translate autophagy research into clinical applications for cancer management.
Keywords:
ApoptosisAutophagyBiomarkersCancerPrognosis

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