Autophagy and its role in colorectal pathogenesis and treatment / 国际肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Autophagy is a catabolic process involving the degradation of a cell's own proteins and organelles and the subsequent recycle of cellular products. Despite the fact that autophagy helps maintain survival, excessive autophagy can lead to autophagic cell death. Recent researches showed that autophagy played an important role in the development, progression and treatment of colorectal cancer;however, the exact mechanisms of autophagy and its effect on chemotherapy and radiotherapy are still under debate.