Title:Dual Opposed Survival-supporting and Death-promoting Roles of Autophagy in Cancer Cells: A Concise Review
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Eman S. El-Shafey and Eslam S. Elsherbiny*
Affiliation:Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta
Keywords:Autophagy, molecular regulation, cell death, cell survival, macroautophagy, microautophagy,
chaperone-mediated autophagy.
Abstract:Autophagy is a well-maintained process by which the cells recycle intracellular
materials to maintain homeostasis in various cellular functions. However, autophagy is a defensive
mechanism that maintains cell survival under antagonistic conditions, the induction
of the autophagic process may substantially lead to cell death. The conflicting roles of autophagy
including allowing cell survival or promoting cell death could have a troublesome impact
on the efficiency of chemotherapeutic agents. Accordingly, understanding the role of
autophagy in cancer is a vital need for its optimal manipulation in therapy.