Autophagy regulation and its role in gastric cancer and colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Autophagy is associated with the occurrence, development, cellular adaptation, progression, treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The effect of autophagy in these two cancers has attracted our attention.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the functional and regulatory mechanisms associated with autophagy in GC and CRC.


METHODS
We reviewed recent publications describing the role of autophagy in GC and CRC, including the functional characteristics, clinical significance and regulatory mechanisms.


RESULTS
Autophagy plays context-dependent dual roles in the development and progression of GC and CRC. It can either promote tumor growth and cell survival or can contribute to tumor suppression and promote cell death. Both of these effects employ complex regulatory networks, such as those mediated by p53, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Ras and microRNA. Among the cellular process associated with these pathways, autophagy is a potential target for anti-tumor therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Autophagy is associated with both tumorigenic and protective effects in cancer. However, the role of autophagy in GC and CRC remains unclear. Although the translation of the basic science of autophagy into clinical practice is a long process, the modulation of autophagy as a potential therapeutic approach in GC and CRC merits further investigation.
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.|Jiangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.|Institute of Immunotherapy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Huangyan
H
Zhou
Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Min
M
Yuan
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Qiongfang
Q
Yu
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Xiaoyan
X
Zhou
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.|Jiangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.|Institute of Immunotherapy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Weiping
W
Min
Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.|Jiangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.|Institute of Immunotherapy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Dian
D
Gao
D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
Autophagy; colorectal cancer; gastric cancer