Role of Autophagy in Cancer and Tumor Progression

Abstract

Autophagy, which is constitutively executed at basal level in all cells, promotes cellular homeostasis by regulating organelles and proteins turnover. In tumor cells, autophagy is activated in response to various cellular stresses, including nutrient and growth factor starvation, as well as hypoxia [1]. It is now well established that autophagy can act as tumor suppressor and tumor promoter. The different roles of autophagy in cancer cells seem to depend on tumor type, stage, and genetic context. Indeed, autophagy clearly suppresses the initiation and development of tumors, however, it is considered as a key survival pathway in response to stress, and many established tumors require autophagy to survive. In this section, we will summarize the different mechanisms involved in the activation of autophagy in tumor and discuss recent reports about the dual role of autophagy in carcinogenesis and tumor progression.