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Updated: May 28, 2026

An Ex Vivo Model of Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis Using Human Omentum
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Autophagy in Ovarian Cancer, an Opportunity or an Additional Threat?

Aleksandra Zoń1, Ilona Anna Bednarek1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy, a cellular process, presents a complex challenge in ovarian cancer treatment. Its dual role in either suppressing or promoting tumors, and impacting drug resistance, necessitates careful therapeutic targeting.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Ovarian cancer treatment remains challenging despite extensive research.
  • Autophagy's role in cancer is complex, with potential tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects.
  • Autophagy activation can lead to resistance against standard ovarian cancer therapies like cisplatin and paclitaxel.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the complex role of autophagy in ovarian cancer.
  • To discuss the implications of autophagy in therapeutic resistance.
  • To highlight current strategies targeting autophagy pathways for ovarian cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on autophagy and ovarian cancer.
  • Analysis of the dual role of autophagy in tumor progression and suppression.
  • Examination of the impact of autophagy on drug resistance mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy can maintain genomic stability and limit inflammation, thus suppressing tumors.
  • Autophagy enables cancer cell survival in adverse conditions, promoting tumor growth.
  • Targeting key autophagy regulatory pathways, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AMPK, is a focus of current research.

Conclusions:

  • The dual role of autophagy in ovarian cancer necessitates context-specific therapeutic strategies.
  • Understanding and modulating autophagy is crucial for overcoming drug resistance.
  • Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AMPK pathways offers potential for novel ovarian cancer treatments.
Keywords:
autophagychemoresistancecisplatin resistanceovarian cancer

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