Life, death, and autophagy in cancer: NF-κB turns up everywhere

Escaping programmed cell death is a hallmark of cancer. NF-kappa B transcription factors are key regulator of cell survival and aberrant NF-kappa B signaling has been involved in the pathogenesis of most human malignancies. Although NF-kappa B is best known for its antiapoptotic role, other processes regulating the life/death balance, such as autophagy and necroptosis, seem to network with NF-kappa B. This review discusses how the reciprocal regulation of NF-kappa B, autophagy and programmed cell death affect cancer development and progression.