The Controversial Role of Autophagy in AML/ Cancer: Review Article

Abstract

Background: A catabolic process that has been preserved throughout evolution, autophagy sends cytoplasmic proteins, organelles, and bacteria to lysosomes for destruction. Within its subtypes, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) exhibits a significant lot of variety, and autophagy's complex function in the disease's genesis and development is also evident. Chromosome translocations and rearrangements, which are often seen in AML, have been discovered to be related with heterozygous deletions and missense mutations of important autophagy genes. Objective: In this review we aimed to discuss the dual role of autophagy in cancer and focusing on the relation between autophagy and acute myeloid leukemia. Methods: PubMed, Google scholar and Science direct were searched using the following keywords: Autophagy, Cancer, Acute myeloid leukaemia and Chromosomal translocations. The authors also screened references from the relevant literature, including all the identified studies and reviews, only the most recent or complete study was included between December 2001 and May 2022. Documents in a language apart from English have been excluded as sources for interpretation. Papers apart from main scientific studies had been excluded as well as documents unavailable as total written text, conversation, conference abstract papers and dissertations. Conclusion:It is now understood that the process of autophagy has a dual role in the initiation and progression of cancer. In terms of using autophagy in modern treatment modalities like cancer immunotherapy and precision medicine in AML, this might be advantageous. Additionally, the utilization of autophagy biomarkers for clinical response and therapeutic effectiveness prediction would eventually result in better results and the best possible care for AML patients.