Opening an autophagy window as the apoptosis door starts to close

Researchers have successfully attached the cancer cell-targeting antibody Trastuzumab to a previously reported supermolecule that induces autophagic cell death. The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) selectively targeted HER2-overexpressing cancer calls and reduced cell viability at lower concentrations than free supermolecule drug. It is hoped that the ADC will provide a targeted autophagic death route for treating apoptosis resistant cancer cells in vivo, and ultimately provide an alternate approach in the clinic.