Interplay between apoptosis and autophagy in colorectal cancer

// Hao-Ran Qian 1, * , Zhao-Qi Shi 1 , He-Pan Zhu 1 , Li-Hu Gu 1 , Xian-Fa Wang 1 and Yi Yang 2, * 1 Department of General Surgery, Institute of Minimally Invasive, Surgery of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, PR China 2 Department of Pharmacology, Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, Zhejiang, PR China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Hao-Ran Qian, email: websterqian@126.com Yi Yang, email: yyang@hznu.edu.cn Keywords: colorectal cancer, autophagy, apoptosis, cross-talk Received: March 22, 2017      Accepted: May 15, 2017      Published: June 27, 2017 ABSTRACT Autophagy and apoptosis are two pivotal mechanisms in mediating cell survival and death. Cross-talk of autophagy and apoptosis has been documented in the tumorigenesis and progression of cancer, while the interplay between the two pathways in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not yet been comprehensively summarized. In this study, we outlined the basis of apoptosis and autophagy machinery firstly, and then reviewed the recent evidence in cellular settings or animal studies regarding the interplay between them in CRC. In addition, several key factors that modulate the cross-talk between autophagy and apoptosis as well as its significance in clinical practice were discussed. Understanding of the interplay between the cell death mechanisms may benefit the translation of CRC treatment from basic research to clinical use.