Table 1 Small molecules and/or agents for activation of autophagy in the context of AML treatment

Vitamin D

Inhibition of miR-17-5p and induction of Beclin-1,

Inhibition of cell proliferation

HL-60, AML patients sample

[149]

Dendrogenin A

A mammalian cholesterol metabolite

LXRβ-dependent sensitization of AML cells to Ara-C in vitro and in vivo

Potentiation of Ara-C cytotoxicity

HL-60, KG1, MV4-11, AML patients samples, AML xenograft in mice

[185]

Inhibition of phosphorylation of Akt and JNK to maximize the idarubicin induced DNA damage and lethal autophagy

Potentiation of Idarubicin-induced cell death

KG1α, KG1, MOLM14, OCI-AML3, AML patients samples, xenograft in mice

[184]

LXRβ-, Nur77-, and NOR1-dependent induction of lethal autophagy

Anti-leukemic effect

KG1, HL-60, AML patients samples, AML xenograft in mice

[186]

Dihydroartemisinin

Anti-malarial drug

Inhibition of mTOR/p70S6k signaling and activation of AMPK leading to autophagy dependent ferroptosis

Induction of ferroptosis, inhibition of cell/xenograft growth

HL-60, KG1, THP-1, AML xenograft in mice

[187]

AC-73

Specific inhibitor of CD147

Inhibition of ERK/STAT3 signaling and potentiation of ATO-induced autophagy

Inhibition of cell proliferation

U937, NB4, HL-60, MV4-11, AML patients samples

[188]