Autophagy Regulation on Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance, Metastasis, and Therapy Resistance.

ABSTRACT: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of the tumor population that play critical roles in tumorigenicity, metastasis, and relapse. A key feature of CSCs is their resistance to numerous therapeutic strategies which include chemotherapy, radiation, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In recent years, there is a growing body of literature that suggests a link between CSC maintenance and autophagy, a mechanism to recycle intracellular components during moments of environmental stress, especially since CSCs thrive in a tumor microenvironment that is plagued with hypoxia, acidosis, and lack of nutrients. Autophagy activation has been shown to aid in the upkeep of a stemness state along with bolstering resistance to cancer treatment. However, recent studies have also suggested that autophagy is a d

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8774167 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature