The International Journal of Developmental Biology

Int. J. Dev. Biol. 59: 95 - 108 (2015)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.150082iv

Vol 59, Issue 1-2-3

Special Issue: Cell Death in Development & Tumors

Role of autophagy in the maintenance and function of cancer stem cells

Published: 2 September 2015

Ilio Vitale*,1,2, Gwenola Manic1, Vito Dandrea3 and Ruggero De Maria1

1Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 2Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" and 3Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Recent advances in experimental technologies and cancer models have made possible to demonstrate that the tumor is a dynamic system comprising heterogeneous populations of cancer cells organized in a hierarchical fashion with cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the apex. CSCs are immature cells characterized by self-renewal property and long-term repopulation potential. CSCs have been causally linked to cancer initiation, propagation, spreading, recurrence and relapse as well as to resistance to anticancer therapy. A growing body of evidence suggests that the function and physiology of CSCs may be influenced by genetic/epigenetic factors and tumor environment. In this context, macroautophagy is a lysosomal degradative process (herein referred to as autophagy) critical for the adaptive response to stress and the preservation of cellular and tissue homeostasis in all eukaryotes that may have a crucial role of in the origin, maintenance and invasiveness of CSCs. The activation of the autophagic machinery is also considered as an adaptive response of CSCs to perturbation of tumor microenvironment, caused for instance by anticancer therapy. Nevertheless, compelling preclinical and clinical evidence on the cytoprotective role of autophagy for CSCs is still missing. Here, we summarize the results on the contribution of autophagy in CSCs and how it impacts tumorigenesis and tumor progression. We also discuss the therapeutical potential of the modulation of autophagy as a means to eradicate CSCs.

Keywords

autophagosomes, beclin 1, CD133, chloroquine, lysosomes, tumor initiating cells

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