Autophagy, a fundamental cellular process, involves the degradation and recycling of a cell's own components. This intricate mechanism begins with the formation of a double-membrane structure known as the phagophore, which sequesters damaged or surplus organelles, misfolded proteins, and invasive pathogens. Once encased within an autophagosome, these materials are transported to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy is crucial for cellular energy provision during stress conditions such as starvation or hypoxia and maintaining cellular homeostasis under normal physiological conditions.

In recent decades, dysregulated autophagy has been linked to numerous human diseases, notably cancer. Various studies have highlighted the roles of autophagy core proteins and regulators in cancer progression, suggesting potential therapeutic exploitation. However, the autophagy-cancer relationship remains intricate and context-specific. In tumorigenesis, autophagy plays dual roles: it acts as a tumor suppressor during the initial stages by mitigating cellular damage and preventing genomic instability, but aids cancer cell survival and progression once a tumor is established by adapting to the challenging tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, autophagy influences the tumor stroma by modulating immune responses and nutrient availability, affecting tumor behavior and therapy outcomes. The autophagy-cancer dynamics are also affected by variables like tumor type, stage, and specific oncogenic mutations. Consequently, while autophagy-targeted therapies show promise, the clinical outcomes have been underwhelming, underscoring the necessity for a deeper understanding of autophagy in specific cancer subtypes and the development of precise targeting strategies.

This Research Topic aims to explore the intricate relationship between autophagy and cancer, providing insights into the development of autophagy-targeted therapeutic strategies. We welcome investigations delving into various aspects of this complex interaction, as well as comprehensive reviews summarizing recent advancements in how autophagy influences tumor initiation, progression, and treatment response. To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- The molecular mechanisms of autophagy in different cancer types

- Autophagy's role in tumor microenvironment modulation

- Context-dependent roles of autophagy in cancer initiation and progression

- Autophagy-targeted therapeutic strategies and their clinical potential

- Impact of specific oncogenic mutations on autophagic processes in cancer

This Research Topic will accept reviews, original research articles, and clinical studies to further our understanding of autophagy's role in cancer.

Dr. Steffan Nawrocki is the founder of Majestic Therapeutics, LLC. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

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Exploring Autophagy's Multifaceted Influence on Cancer Biology and Therapy