Crosstalks between inflammasome and autophagy in cancer

J Hematol Oncol. 2020 Jul 23;13(1):100. doi: 10.1186/s13045-020-00936-9.

Abstract

Both inflammasomes and autophagy have important roles in the intracellular homeostasis, inflammation, and pathology; the dysregulation of these processes is often associated with the pathogenesis of numerous cancers. In addition, they can crosstalk with each other in multifaceted ways to influence various physiological and pathological responses, including cancer. Multiple molecular mechanisms connect the autophagy pathway to inflammasome activation and, through this, may influence the outcome of pro-tumor or anti-tumor responses depending on the cancer types, microenvironment, and the disease stage. In this review, we highlight the rapidly growing literature on the various mechanisms by which autophagy interacts with the inflammasome pathway, to encourage additional applications in the context of tumors. In addition, we provide insight into the mechanisms by which pathogen modulates the autophagy-inflammasome pathway to favor the infection-induced carcinogenesis. We also explore the challenges and opportunities of using multiple small molecules/agents to target the autophagy/inflammasome axis and their effects upon cancer treatment. Finally, we discuss the emerging clinical efforts assessing the potential usefulness of targeting approaches for either autophagy or inflammasome as anti-cancer strategies, although it remains underexplored in terms of their crosstalks.

Keywords: Autophagy; Cancer; Inflammasome; Mitochondrial ROS; Mitophagy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Autophagy / physiology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / drug effects
  • Inflammasomes / physiology*
  • Intracellular Membranes / physiology
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitophagy / drug effects
  • Mitophagy / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / physiology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / physiology
  • RNA, Neoplasm / physiology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Reactive Oxygen Species