Autophagy and Cancer: Current Biology and Drug Development

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway that degrades and recycles cytoplasmic components through lysosomal degradation to sustain survival in response to cellular stressors. Autophagy defects are associated with the etiology of numerous diseases including cancer. The role of autophagy in cancer is complex and context-dependent, with opposing roles of preventing tumor initiation and promoting tumor progression. Recent evidence suggests involvement of selective autophagy of mitochondria, called mitophagy, in tumorigenesis. Understanding the roles of autophagy and mitophagy in cancer stem cells, cancer immunosurveillance, cancer metabolism, and iron homeostasis will influence development of emerging anti-cancer therapeutics targeting autophagy.