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Orlandi G, Roncucci L, Carnevale G, Sena P. Different Roles of Apoptosis and Autophagy in the Development of Human Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10201. [PMID: 37373349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major life-threatening malignancy, despite numerous therapeutic and screening attempts. Apoptosis and autophagy are two processes that share common signaling pathways, are linked by functional relationships and have similar protein components. During the development of cancer, the two processes can trigger simultaneously in the same cell, causing, in some cases, an inhibition of autophagy by apoptosis or apoptosis by autophagy. Malignant cells that have accumulated genetic alterations can take advantage of any alterations in the apoptotic process and as a result, progress easily in the cancerous transformation. Autophagy often plays a suppressive role during the initial stages of carcinogenicity, while in the later stages of cancer development it can play a promoting role. It is extremely important to determine the regulation of this duality of autophagy in the development of CRC and to identify the molecules involved, as well as the signals and the mechanisms behind it. All the reported experimental results indicate that, while the antagonistic effects of autophagy and apoptosis occur in an adverse environment characterized by deprivation of oxygen and nutrients, leading to the formation and development of CRC, the effects of promotion and collaboration usually involve an auxiliary role of autophagy compared to apoptosis. In this review, we elucidate the different roles of autophagy and apoptosis in human CRC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Orlandi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71-41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Roncucci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71-41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluca Carnevale
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71-41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Sena
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71-41124 Modena, Italy
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Fan LX, Tao L, Lai YC, Cai SY, Zhao ZY, Yang F, Su RY, Wang Q. Cx32 promotes autophagy and produces resistance to SN‑induced apoptosis via activation of AMPK signalling in cervical cancer. Int J Oncol 2022; 60:10. [PMID: 34970699 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The roles of gap junctions (GJs) and its components, connexins, in the autophagy of cervical cancer cells have been rarely investigated. Our previous study demonstrated that connexin 32 (Cx32) exerted an anti‑apoptotic effect on cervical cancer. However, as an important regulator of apoptosis, whether the autophagy is involved in the function of Cx32 on cervical cancer cells is not well defined. The present study aimed to investigate the role of Cx32 on autophagy and apoptosis inhibition in cervical cancer cells. The expression levels of Cx32 and the autophagy‑associated protein LC3‑Ⅱ in paracancerous cervical tissues (n=30) and cervical cancer (n=50) tissues were determined via western blotting. In total, 45 cervical cancer specimens were used to evaluate the clinical relevance of Cx32 and LC3‑Ⅱ. It was found that both Cx32 and LC3‑Ⅱ were upregulated in cervical cancer tissues compared with those in paracancerous cervical tissues. The effect of Cx32 on autophagy was examined by detecting the change of LC3‑Ⅱ using western blotting, transfection with enhanced green fluorescent protein‑LC3 plasmid and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Overexpression of Cx32 significantly enhanced autophagy in HeLa‑Cx32 cells, whereas knockdown of Cx32 suppressed autophagy in C‑33A cells. The flow cytometry results demonstrated that Cx32 inhibited the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by promoting autophagy. Moreover, Cx32 triggered autophagy via the activation of the AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling, regardless of the presence or absence of GJs. Collectively, it was identified that Cx32 exerted its anti‑apoptotic effect by activating autophagy via the AMPK pathway in cervical cancer, which demonstrates a novel mechanism for Cx32 in human cervical cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xia Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Chang Lai
- Department of Urology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, P.R. China
| | - Shao-Yi Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Yu Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Ri-Ya Su
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
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Zhang B, Liu L. Autophagy is a double-edged sword in the therapy of colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:378. [PMID: 33777202 PMCID: PMC7988732 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. The limitations of colorectal cancer treatment include various types of multidrug resistance and the contingent damage to neighboring normal cells caused by chemotherapy. Macroautophagy/autophagy and apoptosis are essential mechanisms involved in cancer cell regulation of chemotherapy. Autophagy can either cause cancer cell death or promote tumor survival during colorectal cancer. Given that autophagy is involved in chemotherapy of colorectal cancer, an improved insight into the potential interactions between apoptosis and autophagy is crucial. The present review aimed to summarize the involvement of autophagy in the regulation of colorectal cancer and its association with chemotherapy. Furthermore, the role of natural product extraction, novel chemicals and small molecules, as well as radiation, which induce autophagy in colorectal cancer cells, were reviewed. Finally, the present review aimed to provide an outlook for the regulation of autophagy as a novel approach to the treatment of cancer, particularly chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Medical Laboratory for Radiation Research, Beijing Institute for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing 100093, P.R. China.,College of Food Science and Engineering, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121000, P.R. China
| | - Lantao Liu
- Medical Laboratory for Radiation Research, Beijing Institute for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Beijing 100093, P.R. China
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Autophagy-related gene expression classification defines three molecular subtypes with distinct clinical and microenvironment cell infiltration characteristics in colon cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 87:106757. [PMID: 32769067 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple molecular subtypes with distinct clinical outcomes in colon cancer have been identified in recent years. Nonetheless, the autophagy-related molecular subtypes as well as its mediated tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration characteristics have not been fully understood. METHODS Based on the seven colon cancer cohorts with 1580 samples, we performed a comprehensive genomic analysis to explore the molecular subtypes mediated by autophagy-related genes. The single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to quantify the relative abundance of each cell infiltration in the TME. Unsupervised methods were used to perform autophagy subtype clustering. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) was used to construct autophagy characterization score (APCS) signature. RESULTS We determined three distinct autophagy-related molecular subtypes in colon cancer. The three autophagy subtypes presented significant survival differences. Microenvironment analyses revealed the heterogeneous TME immune cell infiltration characterization between three subtypes. Cluster 1 autophagy subtype was characterized by abundant innate and adaptive immune cell infiltration. This subtype exhibited an enhanced stromal activity including activated pathways of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, TGF-β and angiogenesis, and an increased infiltration of fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The expression of immune checkpoint molecules was also significantly up-regulated, which may mediate immune escape in Cluster 1 subtype. Cluster 2 subtype was characterized by relatively lower TME immune cell infiltration and enhanced DNA damage repair pathways. Cluster 3 subtype was characterized by the suppression of immunity. Patients with high APCS, with poorer survival, presented a significantly positive correlation with TME stromal activity. Low APCS, relevant to activated damage repair pathways, showed enhanced responses to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Two immunotherapy cohorts confirmed patients with low APCS exhibited prominently enhanced clinical response and treatment advantages. CONCLUSIONS This study may help understand the molecular characterization of autophagy-related subtypes. We demonstrated the autophagy genes in colon cancer could drive the heterogeneity of TME immune cell infiltration. Our study represented a step toward personalized immunotherapy in colon cancer.
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Al-Malki AL, Razvi SS, Mohammed FA, Zamzami MA, Choudhry H, Kumosani TA, Balamash KS, Alshubaily FA, ALGhamdi SA, Abualnaja KO, Abdulaal WH, Zeyadi MA, Al-Zahrani MH, Alhosin M, Asami T, Moselhy SS. Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of novel acylspermidine derivative N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-(3-aminopropyl)-8-hydroxy-dodecanamide (AAHD) against HepG2 cells. Bioorg Chem 2019; 88:102937. [PMID: 31048120 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.102937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring polyamines like Putrescine, Spermidine, and Spermine are polycations which bind to the DNA, hence stabilizing it and promoting the essential cellular processes. Many synthetic polyamine analogues have been synthesized in the past few years, which have shown cytotoxic effects on different tumours. In the present study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effect of a novel, acylspermidine derivative, (N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-(3-aminopropyl)-8-hydroxy-dodecanamide) (AAHD) on HepG2 cells. Fluorescence staining was performed with nuclear stain (Hoechst 33342) and acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining. Dose and the time-dependent antiproliferative effect were observed by WST-1 assays, and radical scavenging activity was measured by ROS. Morphological changes such as cell shrinkage & blebbing were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy. It was found that AAHD markedly suppressed the growth of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It was also noted that the modulation of ROS levels confirmed the radical scavenging activity. In the near future, AAHD can be a promising drug candidate in chalking out a neoplastic strategy to control the proliferation of tumour cells. This study indicated that AAHD induced anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities on HCC. Since AAHD was active at micromolar concentrations without any adverse effects on the healthy cells (Fibroblasts), it is worthy of further clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman L Al-Malki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Bioactive Natural Products Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Shoeb Razvi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Furkhan Ahmed Mohammed
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Choudhry
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taha A Kumosani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Production of Bioproducts for Industrial Applications Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khadijah S Balamash
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawzia A Alshubaily
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shareefa A ALGhamdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid O Abualnaja
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Bioactive Natural Products Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wesam H Abdulaal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa A Zeyadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam H Al-Zahrani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Alhosin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cancer and Mutagenesis Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tadao Asami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
| | - Said S Moselhy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Bioactive Natural Products Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Ebrahimi S, Hashemy SI. MicroRNA-mediated redox regulation modulates therapy resistance in cancer cells: clinical perspectives. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2019; 42:131-141. [PMID: 30645730 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-00421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common types of cancer therapy. The development of chemo/radio-resistance remains, however, a major obstacle. Altered redox balances are among of the main factors mediating therapy resistance. Therefore, redox regulatory strategies are urgently needed to overcome this problem. Recently, microRNAs have been found to act as major redox regulatory factors affecting chemo/radio-resistance. MicroRNAs play critical roles in regulating therapeutic resistance through the regulation of antioxidant enzymes, redox-sensitive signaling pathways, cancer stem cells, DNA repair mechanisms and autophagy. CONCLUSIONS Here, we summarize current knowledge on microRNA-mediated redox regulatory mechanisms underlying chemo/radio-resistance. This knowledge may form a basis for a better clinical management of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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7
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Shi L, Yan H, An S, Shen M, Jia W, Zhang R, Zhao L, Huang G, Liu J. SIRT5-mediated deacetylation of LDHB promotes autophagy and tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer. Mol Oncol 2018; 13:358-375. [PMID: 30443978 PMCID: PMC6360364 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyses the conversion of lactate and NAD+ to pyruvate, NADH and H+. Protons (H+) generated by LDHB promote lysosomal acidification and autophagy in cancer, but how this role is regulated has not been defined. In this study, we identified an important post‐translational mechanism by which LDHB is regulated during autophagy in cancer cells. Mass spectrometry revealed that protein sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) is a binding partner of LDHB that deacetylated LDHB at lysine‐329, thereby promoting its enzymatic activity. Deacetylated LDHB increased autophagy and accelerated the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Notably, SIRT5 knockout or inhibition by GW5074 increased LDHB acetylation at K329 and inhibited LDHB activity, which downregulated autophagy and CRC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, the LDHB‐Ac‐K329 staining score in CRC tissues was lower than that in corresponding peritumour tissues. Low LDHB‐Ac‐K329 status was associated with malignant progression of human CRC and served as a potential prognostic indicator for patients with CRC. Altogether, we conclude that SIRT5‐induced deacetylation of LDHB triggers hyperactivation of autophagy, a key event in tumorigenesis. Thus, the SIRT5/LDHB pathway may represent a novel target for treating CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Shuxian An
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Mengqin Shen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Wenzhi Jia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Ruixue Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.,Department of Cancer Metabolism, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
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Folkerts H, Hilgendorf S, Vellenga E, Bremer E, Wiersma VR. The multifaceted role of autophagy in cancer and the microenvironment. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:517-560. [PMID: 30302772 PMCID: PMC6585651 DOI: 10.1002/med.21531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a crucial recycling process that is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in cancer initiation, cancer (stem) cell maintenance as well as the development of resistance to cancer therapy in both solid and hematological malignancies. Furthermore, it is being recognized that autophagy also plays a crucial and sometimes opposing role in the complex cancer microenvironment. For instance, autophagy in stromal cells such as fibroblasts contributes to tumorigenesis by generating and supplying nutrients to cancerous cells. Reversely, autophagy in immune cells appears to contribute to tumor‐localized immune responses and among others regulates antigen presentation to and by immune cells. Autophagy also directly regulates T and natural killer cell activity and is required for mounting T‐cell memory responses. Thus, within the tumor microenvironment autophagy has a multifaceted role that, depending on the context, may help drive tumorigenesis or may help to support anticancer immune responses. This multifaceted role should be taken into account when designing autophagy‐based cancer therapeutics. In this review, we provide an overview of the diverse facets of autophagy in cancer cells and nonmalignant cells in the cancer microenvironment. Second, we will attempt to integrate and provide a unified view of how these various aspects can be therapeutically exploited for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Folkerts
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Hilgendorf
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edo Vellenga
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin Bremer
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Valerie R Wiersma
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Center Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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