Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science) >

2025 , Vol. 45 >Issue 2: 233 - 240

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2025.02.013

Review

Research progress on the dual effects of autophagy in cutaneous melanoma and its role in drug resistance

  • LUO Wen ,
  • Lü Mingjun ,
  • ZHANG Zhen ,
  • ZHANG Xue ,
  • YAO Zhirong
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  • Department of Dermatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
YAO Zhirong, E-mail: yaozhirong@xinhuamed.com.cn.

Received date: 2024-09-27

  Accepted date: 2024-11-25

  Online published: 2025-02-24

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China(82230106)

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Abstract

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a highly malignant tumor caused by malignant proliferation of melanocytes, characterized by distant metastasis and high mortality. Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy have significantly improved the survival rates of advanced CM patients, tumor resistance remains a key barrier to further improving treatment outcomes. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of autophagy as a key regulatory cell death mode in the pathogenesis of CM. Autophagy is the main mechanism that mediates the degradation and recycling of various cellular components through lysosomes to maintain the homeostasis of the intracellular environment. A large number of studies have confirmed that the role of autophagy in CM is complex and controversial. In the early stages of CM development, autophagy may inhibit abnormal proliferation of tumor cells by removing damaged cell components. However, as the tumor progresses, autophagy may transform into a role that promotes tumor invasion and metastasis. In advanced CM, the activation of autophagy helps tumor cells survive in stressful environments. In particular, in CM with BRAF (V-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1) mutations, autophagy activity is often enhanced, weakening the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitor-targeted therapy. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the dual effects of autophagy on the progression of CM and explores the role of autophagy in CM resistance, in order to provide insights for the development of new targeted therapy strategies for CM.

Key words： cutaneous melanoma; autophagy; autophagy-related protein (ATG); targeted therapy

Cite this article

LUO Wen , Lü Mingjun , ZHANG Zhen , ZHANG Xue , YAO Zhirong . Research progress on the dual effects of autophagy in cutaneous melanoma and its role in drug resistance[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2025 , 45(2) : 233 -240 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2025.02.013

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