Qi Li and Lu Wang
Autophagy is known as a highly complicated bio-degradative mechanism which closely involves in the regulation of multiple physiological and pathological events such as embryonic development and neuro-degenerative diseases. Strikingly, recent research has highlighted the impact of autophagy on the progression of various kinds of malignancies. It functions as both pro-tumoral and tumor-inhibitory effects in a highly context dependent manner. It induces the autophagic cell death, which is termed as the typeII programmed cell death, in cancer cells. Additionally, through genetic or phamarological methods, the autophagic inducers were reported to efficiently attenuate the angiogenesis and as a result, block the metastasis. In contrast, as a essential regulator for exogeneous and endogeneous stresses, autophagy are proved to be the core response process relating to the chemotherapeutics, which greatly influences the efficacies of clinical treatment and the intensity of drug resistance. Herein, we summarized the current studies of the interaction between autophagy and malignant progression. We also emphasized on the application of the autophagic inhibitors or inducers in clinical practice. Finally, leading by the paradoxical and plastic features of autophagy and its key roles in cancer disease regulation, we made a perspective regarding to the reasonable strategy of autopahgy manipulation in the future cancer treatment.