Autophagy and Cancer

Autophagy is one of the lysosomal degradation pathways,which plays critical roles in multiple physiological processes in eukaryotes.In recent years,it has been believed that autophagy is tightly involved in tumorigenesis and development.The effects of autophagy on cancer are controversial.Autophagy prevents cells from oxidative stress,persistent inflammation,and DNA damage accumulation during carcinogenesis,and eventually inhibits the development of cancer.However,autophagy also provides growth metabolites needed for tumour cells,and maintains the balance of the intracellular environment,thus promoting carcinogenesis.Autophagy also has double-edged effects on cancer therapy:on one hand,induction of autophagy prevents the accumulation of DNA damages and mutations induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy,and then inhibits cancer progression; on the other hand,autophagy is required for tumor cells to relieve drug and irradiation therapeutic pressures,and potentially contributes to the survival of tumor cells.