New functions of autophagy governing therapeutic adaptation in AML.

Carine Joffre

Our results show that autophagy is required to promote AML cell resistance to therapy. This is in part because autophagy is necessary for therapy-induced metabolic adaptation, a major factor in resistance to AML treatment.
However, beyond metabolic function, recent literature has given new knowledge and unveiled new functions of autophagy in cancer. For instance, the function of autophagic membranes as signaling platforms, selective forms of autophagy, or the control of extracellular secretion by autophagy have been implicated in cancer development.
We therefore plan to unravel new functions of autophagy-dependent therapy resistance in AML.