Down-regulation of AKT combined with radiation-induced autophagy and apoptosis roles in MCF-7 cells.

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conservation process whereby cytoplasm and cellular organelles are degraded in lysosomes for amino acid and energy recycling. Autophagy concurrent with radiotherapy has emerged as a novel approach in breast cancer treatment. Our studies conclude that autophagy and apoptosis can be induced by radiation and inhibition of autophagy can increase apoptosis. In addition, Akt is a molecule that down-regulates autophagy and apoptosis; blocking Akt can enhance autophagy and apoptosis induced by radiation in MCF-7 cells. Akt could become a new focus in breast cancer radiotherapy.