Selective autophagy in cancer development and therapy

Abstract

Like other cells in the body, tumor cells depend on the evolutionarily conserved autophagy pathway to survive starvation and stress. Simultaneously, autophagy represents an important tumor-suppressive mechanism. Recent studies have shed new light on this apparent discrepancy and revealed mechanisms by which autophagy can modulate different stages of cancer development. The molecular basis of selectivity in autophagy employs specific receptor molecules, such as p62/SQSTM1, which are able to link autophagy targets and autophagosomal membranes. We discuss the emerging principles of selective autophagy in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.