Abstract
Autophagy is a self-renewal process in cells by recycling redundant materials through lysosomal machinery. The basal level of autophagy in eukaryotic cells plays a “housekeeping” role by degrading redundant cellular materials and providing nutrients and energy. However acute and sustained autophagy may cause autophagic cell death. These two features of autophagy are consistent with its complex roles in both oncogenesis and cancer development. Many small molecule autophagy regulators are developed to turn autophagy on/off for therapeutic purpose. The roles of chemotherapeutic agents in regulating autophagy and facilitating cancer treatment can be classified into three categories: direct autophagy enhancers, indirect autophagy enhancers and autophagy inhibitors. The representative autophagy regulators and their roles in cancer treatment were reviewed.
Keywords: Autophagy, autophagic cell death, drug discovery, autophagy regulators, cancer treatment, self-renewal process, lysosomal machinery, eukaryotic cells, chemotherapeutic agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Discovery of Small Molecules that Target Autophagy for Cancer Treatment
Volume: 18 Issue: 12
Author(s): L. Wu and B. Yan
Affiliation:
Keywords: Autophagy, autophagic cell death, drug discovery, autophagy regulators, cancer treatment, self-renewal process, lysosomal machinery, eukaryotic cells, chemotherapeutic agents
Abstract: Autophagy is a self-renewal process in cells by recycling redundant materials through lysosomal machinery. The basal level of autophagy in eukaryotic cells plays a “housekeeping” role by degrading redundant cellular materials and providing nutrients and energy. However acute and sustained autophagy may cause autophagic cell death. These two features of autophagy are consistent with its complex roles in both oncogenesis and cancer development. Many small molecule autophagy regulators are developed to turn autophagy on/off for therapeutic purpose. The roles of chemotherapeutic agents in regulating autophagy and facilitating cancer treatment can be classified into three categories: direct autophagy enhancers, indirect autophagy enhancers and autophagy inhibitors. The representative autophagy regulators and their roles in cancer treatment were reviewed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Wu L. and Yan B., Discovery of Small Molecules that Target Autophagy for Cancer Treatment, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 18 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711795496773
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711795496773 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Cancer Pharmacogenetics: The Move from Pharmacokinetics to Pharmacodynamics
Current Pharmacogenomics Targeting Telomerase by Antisense-Based Approaches: Perspectives for New Anti-Cancer Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Effect of PUFAs Oral Administration on the Amount of Apoptotic Caspases Enzymes in Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Imidazoles and Benzimidazoles as Tubulin-Modulators for Anti-Cancer Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cancer Therapy
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Recent Strategies Combining Biomaterials and Stem Cells for Bone, Liver and Skin Regeneration
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Ultrasound-Triggered Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment: An Update
Current Protein & Peptide Science Microtubule Targeting Agents: A Benchmark in Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Therapy Patent Selections
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Protein Kinase C Isozymes as Potential Targets for Anticancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Preface
Current Pharmaceutical Design EGFR High Expression, but not KRAS Status, Predicts Sensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Nimotuzumab Treatment In Vivo
Current Cancer Drug Targets Recent Developments in Patented DC-Based Immunotherapy for Various Malignancies
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine (Iso)Flav(an)ones, Chalcones, Catechins, and Theaflavins as Anticarcinogens: Mechanisms, Anti-Multidrug Resistance and QSAR Studies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Polymeric Nanocarriers and Nanoreactors: A Survey of Possible Therapeutic Applications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of Graphene Nano-Composites in Cancer Therapy: Theranostic Applications, Metabolic Fate and Toxicity Issues
Current Drug Metabolism Oxidative Stress Upregulates PDCD4 Expression in Patients with Gastric Cancer via miR-21
Current Pharmaceutical Design The TWEAK-Fn14 System: Breaking the Silence of Cytokine-Induced Skeletal Muscle Wasting
Current Molecular Medicine Atypical PKCι as Target for Glioblastoma Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Natural Proteinaceous Inhibitors of Serine Proteases
Current Pharmaceutical Design