Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal degradation process that is crucial for adaptation to stress as well as in cellular homeostasis. In cancer, our current understanding has uncovered multifaceted roles for autophagy in tumor initiation and progression. Although genetic evidence corroborates a critical role for autophagy as a tumor suppressor mechanism, autophagy can also promote the survival and fitness of advanced tumors subject to stress, which has important implications during breast cancer progression and metastasis. Here, I discuss the mechanisms and the evidence underlying these diverse roles for autophagy in cancer and speculate on specific circumstances in which autophagy can be most effectively targeted for breast cancer treatment.
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Abbreviations
- ATG:
-
autophagy related gene
- DCIS:
-
ductal carcinoma in situ
- ER:
-
endoplasmic reticulum
- HCQ:
-
hydroxychloroquine
- LIR:
-
LC3 interacting region
- OIS:
-
oncogene-induced senescence
- PI3K:
-
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
- ROS:
-
reactive oxygen species
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Acknowledgements
Grant support to JD for his work on autophagy and breast cancer includes the NIH (CA126792 and ARRA Supplement CA126792-S1) and an Era of Hope Scholar Award (W81XWH-11-1-0130) from the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program.
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Debnath, J. The Multifaceted Roles of Autophagy in Tumors—Implications for Breast Cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 16, 173–187 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-011-9223-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-011-9223-3