Autophagy modulation in cancer.

Autophagy plays a complex, dual role in cancer, supporting tumor survival and immune responses, making it a challenging but promising therapeutic target.

• Why it matters: Understanding autophagy's diverse functions is crucial because its modulation can either promote or inhibit cancer progression, impacting treatment strategies and outcomes.
• What they did: The authors review the mechanisms of autophagy, its influence on tumor development and immune interactions, and evaluate current pharmacological inhibitors and their limitations.
• The result: Targeting autophagy offers potential to enhance cancer therapies and immunotherapy, but its complex, context-dependent effects require precise, tailored approaches for effective treatment.