The role and implication of autophagy in cholangiocarcinoma

Hayat Khizar; Yufei Hu; Yanhua Wu; Jianfeng Yang

doi:10.1038/s41420-023-01631-7

The role and implication of autophagy in cholangiocarcinoma

Cell Death Discov. 2023 Sep 4;9(1):332. doi: 10.1038/s41420-023-01631-7.

Authors

Hayat Khizar^#^{1

2}, Yufei Hu^#^{1

3}, Yanhua Wu^{1

3}, Jianfeng Yang^{4

5

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of medicine, 310006, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
² Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institute of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
³ Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth School of Clinical medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
⁴ Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of medicine, 310006, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. yjf3303@zju.edu.cn.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, 310006, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. yjf3303@zju.edu.cn.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Biliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310006, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. yjf3303@zju.edu.cn.
⁷ Hangzhou Institute of Digestive Diseases, 310006, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. yjf3303@zju.edu.cn.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor that originates from the biliary epithelial cells. It is characterized by a difficult diagnosis and limited treatment options. Autophagy is a cellular survival mechanism that maintains nutrient and energy homeostasis and eliminates intracellular pathogens. It is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including the development of cancer. However, the role, mechanism, and potential therapeutic targets of autophagy in CCA have not been thoroughly studied. In this review, we introduce the classification, characteristics, process, and related regulatory genes of autophagy. We summarize the regulation of autophagy on the progression of CCA and collect the latest research progress on some autophagy modulators with clinical potential in CCA. In conclusion, combining autophagy modulators with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy has great potential in the treatment of CCA. This combination may be a potential therapeutic target for CCA in the future.

Publication types

Review