Autophagy modulation in cancer therapy: Challenges coexist with opportunities

Autophagy, a crucial intracellular degradation process facilitated by lysosomes, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The elucidation of autophagy key genes and signaling pathways has significantly advanced our understanding of this process and has led to the exploration of autophagy as a promising therapeutic approach. This review comprehensively assesses the latest developments in small molecule modulators targeting autophagy. Moreover, the review delves into the most recent strategies for drug discovery, specifically focusing on selective agents that exploit autophagosomes and lysosomes for targeted protein degradation. Additionally, this article highlights the prevailing challenges and outlines potential future advancements in the field. By amalgamating the cutting-edge knowledge in the field, we aim to offer valuable insights and references for the anti-cancer drug development of autophagy-targeted therapies, thus contributing to the advancement of novel therapeutic interventions. [Display omitted] •Detailing key autophagy genes and signaling pathways for cancer therapeutic insights.•Categorizing and reviewing advancements in small molecule modulators of autophagy.•Describing roles and mechanisms of autophagy modulators for cancer therapy.•Exploring new methods and future directions in autophagy-based cancer therapy.