Figure 5From: Curcumin: A review of anti-cancer properties and therapeutic activity in head and neck squamous cell carcinomaProgrammed cell death type II: Autophagy is a catabolic process by which cells degrade their own components via the lysosomal system. In response to cellular or nutrient stress, double-layered autophagosomes containing cytoplasmic proteins and organelles are formed following envelopment by a membrane derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. Upon fusion with lysosomes, the contents of these autophagolysosomes are degraded. Autophagy is important as a housekeeping function to promote cell survival and may also function as a pathway of programmed cell death.Back to article page