BECN1 and glioblastoma: In GBM cells, cytoplasmic mRNA and protein levels of autophagosome markers (e.g., Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)) are lower than in normal brain tissue.10, 11, 12, 13, 14 This becomes more evident in higher grade GBM, suggesting that the autophagy level is decreased in these cases.15, 16, 17, 18 In addition, malignant GBM cells treated with γ-irradiation or chemotherapeutic agents, such as temozolomide (TMZ) and arsenic trioxide, have a tendency to undergo autophagy.19, 20, 21, 22 This suggests that autophagy plays a role in suppressing the growth of GBM.