Autophagy, a double-edged sword in hepatocarcinogenesis

Autophagy has opposite effects on hepatocarcinogenesis depending on whether it occurs before or after its onset. Autophagy prevents the initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, it also inhibits cell death and the expression of tumor suppressors to promote tumor progression once hepatocarcinogenesis has been initiated.