Cytoprotective, Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Roles of Autophagy in Response to BET Inhibitors

The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family inhibitors are small molecules that target the dysregulated epigenetic readers, BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 BRDT, at various transcription-related sites, including super-enhancers. BET currently under investigation both in pre-clinical cell culture tumor-bearing animal models, as well clinical trials. However, is case with other chemotherapeutic modalities, development of resistance likely to constrain therapeutic benefits this strategy. One tumor survival mechanism has been studied for decades autophagy. Although four different functions autophagy have identified literature (cytoprotective, cytotoxic, cytostatic non-protective), primarily cytoprotective cytotoxic forms appear function experimental models exposed (with some evidence form). This review provides an overview cytoprotective, response models. Our aim determine whether targeting or modulation could represent effective strategy enhance these modalities also potentially overcome inhibition.