Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers
The malignant transformation of a cell produces the accumulation of several cellular adaptions. These changes determine variations in biological processes that are necessary for a cancerous cell to survive during stressful conditions. Autophagy is the main nutrient recycling and metabolic adaptor me...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Cancers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/22/5622 |
| _version_ | 1797510925579714560 |
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| author | Simone Patergnani Sonia Missiroli Giampaolo Morciano Mariasole Perrone Cristina M. Mantovani Gabriele Anania Francesco Fiorica Paolo Pinton Carlotta Giorgi |
| author_facet | Simone Patergnani Sonia Missiroli Giampaolo Morciano Mariasole Perrone Cristina M. Mantovani Gabriele Anania Francesco Fiorica Paolo Pinton Carlotta Giorgi |
| author_sort | Simone Patergnani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The malignant transformation of a cell produces the accumulation of several cellular adaptions. These changes determine variations in biological processes that are necessary for a cancerous cell to survive during stressful conditions. Autophagy is the main nutrient recycling and metabolic adaptor mechanism in eukaryotic cells, represents a continuous source of energy and biomolecules, and is fundamental to preserve the correct cellular homeostasis during unfavorable conditions. In recent decades, several findings demonstrate a close relationship between autophagy, malignant transformation, and cancer progression. The evidence suggests that autophagy in the cancer context has a bipolar role (it may act as a tumor suppressor and as a mechanism of cell survival for established tumors) and demonstrates that the targeting of autophagy may represent novel therapeutic opportunities. Accordingly, the modulation of autophagy has important clinical benefits in patients affected by diverse cancer types. Currently, about 30 clinical trials are actively investigating the efficacy of autophagy modulators to enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy treatments. A deeper understanding of the molecular pathways regulating autophagy in the cancer context will provide new ways to target autophagy for improving the therapeutic benefits. Herein, we describe how autophagy participates during malignant transformation and cancer progression, and we report the ultimate efforts to translate this knowledge into specific therapeutic approaches to treat and cure human cancers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:39:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3254b22d91cb4782a814d7d11c66e8b0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6694 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:39:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cancers |
| spelling | doaj.art-3254b22d91cb4782a814d7d11c66e8b02023-11-22T22:40:53ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942021-11-011322562210.3390/cancers13225622Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human CancersSimone Patergnani0Sonia Missiroli1Giampaolo Morciano2Mariasole Perrone3Cristina M. Mantovani4Gabriele Anania5Francesco Fiorica6Paolo Pinton7Carlotta Giorgi8Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, Section of General and Thoracic Surgery, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, AULSS 9 Scaligera, Ospedale Mater Salutis di Legnago, 37045 Verona, ItalyLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyThe malignant transformation of a cell produces the accumulation of several cellular adaptions. These changes determine variations in biological processes that are necessary for a cancerous cell to survive during stressful conditions. Autophagy is the main nutrient recycling and metabolic adaptor mechanism in eukaryotic cells, represents a continuous source of energy and biomolecules, and is fundamental to preserve the correct cellular homeostasis during unfavorable conditions. In recent decades, several findings demonstrate a close relationship between autophagy, malignant transformation, and cancer progression. The evidence suggests that autophagy in the cancer context has a bipolar role (it may act as a tumor suppressor and as a mechanism of cell survival for established tumors) and demonstrates that the targeting of autophagy may represent novel therapeutic opportunities. Accordingly, the modulation of autophagy has important clinical benefits in patients affected by diverse cancer types. Currently, about 30 clinical trials are actively investigating the efficacy of autophagy modulators to enhance the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy treatments. A deeper understanding of the molecular pathways regulating autophagy in the cancer context will provide new ways to target autophagy for improving the therapeutic benefits. Herein, we describe how autophagy participates during malignant transformation and cancer progression, and we report the ultimate efforts to translate this knowledge into specific therapeutic approaches to treat and cure human cancers.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/22/5622cancerautophagytherapytumor suppressionclinical trials |
| spellingShingle | Simone Patergnani Sonia Missiroli Giampaolo Morciano Mariasole Perrone Cristina M. Mantovani Gabriele Anania Francesco Fiorica Paolo Pinton Carlotta Giorgi Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers Cancers cancer autophagy therapy tumor suppression clinical trials |
| title | Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers |
| title_full | Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers |
| title_short | Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Cancer Formation and Progression Is a Real Opportunity to Treat and Cure Human Cancers |
| title_sort | understanding the role of autophagy in cancer formation and progression is a real opportunity to treat and cure human cancers |
| topic | cancer autophagy therapy tumor suppression clinical trials |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/22/5622 |
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