Autophagy-Related Beclin 1 and Head and Neck Cancers

Yang-Jie Hu; Jiang-Tao Zhong; Liang Gong; Si-Cong Zhang; Shui-Hong Zhou

doi:10.2147/OTT.S256072

Autophagy-Related Beclin 1 and Head and Neck Cancers

Onco Targets Ther. 2020 Jun 30:13:6213-6227. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S256072. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Yang-Jie Hu^{1

2}, Jiang-Tao Zhong², Liang Gong¹, Si-Cong Zhang¹, Shui-Hong Zhou²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology, The Affiliated Cixi Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi 315300, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Beclin 1, a positive regulator of autophagy, behaves as a double-edged sword in tumorigenesis. Beclin 1 contributes to tumor suppression by removing defective or damaged organelles and other cellular components; however, its activity can also stimulate cancer initiation and progression. In head and neck cancer, Beclin 1 overexpression promotes autophagy, which limits DNA damage and chromosomal instability and increases necrosis and inflammation by impacting apoptotic and autophagic pathways. This paper reviews the relationship between Beclin 1, carcinogenesis and head and neck cancer prognosis.

Keywords: Beclin 1; autophagy; carcinogenesis; head and neck cancer.

Publication types

Review