Open Access

Autophagy is a double‑edged sword in the therapy of colorectal cancer (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Bo Zhang
    • Lantao Liu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 15, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12639
  • Article Number: 378
  • Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer‑associated mortality worldwide. The limitations of colorectal cancer treatment include various types of multidrug resistance and the contingent damage to neighboring normal cells caused by chemotherapy. Macroautophagy/autophagy and apoptosis are essential mechanisms involved in cancer cell regulation of chemotherapy. Autophagy can either cause cancer cell death or promote tumor survival during colorectal cancer. Given that autophagy is involved in chemotherapy of colorectal cancer, an improved insight into the potential interactions between apoptosis and autophagy is crucial. The present review aimed to summarize the involvement of autophagy in the regulation of colorectal cancer and its association with chemotherapy. Furthermore, the role of natural product extraction, novel chemicals and small molecules, as well as radiation, which induce autophagy in colorectal cancer cells, were reviewed. Finally, the present review aimed to provide an outlook for the regulation of autophagy as a novel approach to the treatment of cancer, particularly chemotherapy‑resistant colorectal cancer.
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May-2021
Volume 21 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Zhang B and Zhang B: Autophagy is a double‑edged sword in the therapy of colorectal cancer (Review). Oncol Lett 21: 378, 2021
APA
Zhang, B., & Zhang, B. (2021). Autophagy is a double‑edged sword in the therapy of colorectal cancer (Review). Oncology Letters, 21, 378. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12639
MLA
Zhang, B., Liu, L."Autophagy is a double‑edged sword in the therapy of colorectal cancer (Review)". Oncology Letters 21.5 (2021): 378.
Chicago
Zhang, B., Liu, L."Autophagy is a double‑edged sword in the therapy of colorectal cancer (Review)". Oncology Letters 21, no. 5 (2021): 378. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12639