Targeting autophagy in dysfunctional tumor vasculature.

ABSTRACT: Tumor vasculature drives cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, with autophagy serving as a critical regulator of endothelial cell function. This review synthesizes current knowledge of autophagy in tumor vasculature, examining molecular mechanisms, cellular interactions, and therapeutic applications. Tumor endothelial cell autophagy is controlled through mTOR/AMPK signaling, VEGF-mediated pathways, and stress responses. Stromal components, particularly pericytes and proteoglycans, modulate these processes via direct interactions and paracrine signaling, while the interplay between vascular autophagy and immune responses shapes tumor microenvironment dynamics. Therapeutic strategies combining autophagy inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors, or chemoth

SUBMITTER: Lin Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12718167 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature