Targeting autophagy: a promising approach for the treatment of breast cancer brain metastases

Patients with breast tumors that metastasize to the brain have limited treatment options and a very poor prognosis. More effective therapeutic strategies are desperately needed for this patient population. Recent evidence demonstrates that brain metastases arising from breast tumors display altered energy production that results in enhanced autophagy. Preclinical studies have shown that genetically or pharmacologically disrupting the autophagy pathway significantly decreases the brain metastatic burden, resulting in improved animal survival and increased sensitivity to lapatinib. These findings pave the way for the development of novel strategies targeting autophagy for breast cancer patients with brain metastatic disease.