Autophagy and cancer.
Autophagy is a housekeeping survival mechanism with a protective function against stress conditions. However, when stress severity or duration increases, it may promote cell death. Paradoxically, autophagy favors cancer development, since cancer cells could enhance their proliferation potential (thus becoming able to resist anticancer therapy) thanks to the energetic supply provided by organelle degradation typically driven by autophagy following a stepwise pathway. The main actors of the autophagic machinery as well as the features shared with apoptosis will be described. Special attention will be paid to the effects of autophagy manipulation.
IGM-CNR, Via Abbiategrasso 207, Pavia 27100, Italy. francesca.aredia@gmail.com.
Francesca
F
Aredia
IGM-CNR, Via Abbiategrasso 207, Pavia 27100, Italy. lmguaman@utpl.edu.ec.
Luis Miguel
LM
Guamán Ortiz
IGM-CNR, Via Abbiategrasso 207, Pavia 27100, Italy. vincenzogiansanti84@libero.it.
Vincenzo
V
Giansanti
IGM-CNR, Via Abbiategrasso 207, Pavia 27100, Italy. scovassi@igm.cnr.it.
A Ivana
AI
Scovassi