Interplay Between Autophagy and Apoptosis in Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

Autophagy and apoptosis play pivotal roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis through complex molecular mechanisms, and their dysregulation can impact cancer progression. The interplay between autophagy, a conserved catabolic process and apoptosis, a regulated form of cell death under physiological conditions, is the burgeoning area of cancer research. In response to cellular stress, autophagy eliminates misfolded/unfolded proteins and dysfunctional organelles, while apoptosis damaged or potentially harmful cells, contributing to tumor suppression. However, in certain cases depending on cellular context and tumor stage, autophagy aids tumor survival by helping cells to overcome extremely stressful conditions like nutrient starvation and hypoxia potentially leading to treatment resistance. The crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis is mediated by some common regulators, and an imbalance in either of their levels can establish the progression of tumor. The paradoxical role of autophagy as an executioner of cell death and a tumor protector is still controversial. Therefore, comprehending the molecular mechanisms that underlie the connections between autophagy and apoptosis is crucial for deriving valuable insights that can inform the development of effective therapeutic strategies in the treatment of cancer.