Targeting the lysosome in cancer

  • Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016 May;1371(1):45-54. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12953.
Shengfu Piao  1 Ravi K Amaravadi  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract

Lysosomes are membrane-bound intracellular organelles that receive macromolecules delivered by endocytosis, phagocytosis, and Autophagy for degradation and recycling. Over the last decade, advances in lysosome research have established a broad role for the lysosome in the pathophysiology of disease. In this review, we highlight the recent discoveries in lysosome biology, with an emphasis on their implications for Cancer therapy. We focus on targeting the lysosome in Cancer by exploring lysosomal biogenesis and its role in the crosstalk between Apoptosis and Autophagy. We also discuss how lysosomal inhibition could emerge as a new therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance in Cancer.

Keywords
apoptosis; autophagy; cancer therapy; cell death; drug resistance; lysosome.