Affiliations: [a] Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China | [b] Jiangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China | [c] Institute of Immunotherapy, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China | [d] Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China | [e] Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China | [f] Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Dian Gao, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, 461 Bayi Road, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China. Tel.: +86 0791 86360556; E-mail:gaodian@ncu.edu.cn
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Autophagy is associated with the occurrence,
development, cellular adaptation, progression, treatment and prognosis of
gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The effect of autophagy in
these two cancers has attracted our attention. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the functional and
regulatory mechanisms associated with autophagy in GC and CRC. METHODS: We reviewed recent publications describing the role of
autophagy in GC and CRC, including the functional characteristics, clinical
significance and regulatory mechanisms. RESULTS: Autophagy plays context-dependent dual roles in the
development and progression of GC and CRC. It can either promote tumor
growth and cell survival or can contribute to tumor suppression and promote
cell death. Both of these effects employ complex regulatory networks, such
as those mediated by p53, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Ras and microRNA. Among the
cellular process associated with these pathways, autophagy is a potential
target for anti-tumor therapy. CONCLUSION: Autophagy is associated with both tumorigenic and
protective effects in cancer. However, the role of autophagy in GC and CRC
remains unclear. Although the translation of the basic science of autophagy
into clinical practice is a long process, the modulation of autophagy as a
potential therapeutic approach in GC and CRC merits further investigation.
Keywords: Autophagy, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer
