BECN1 and Familial prostate cancer: In particular, it has been shown that BECN1, the gene encoding Beclin1, is deleted in 75%, 50% and 40% in ovarian, breast and prostate cancers, respectively.78 The mutation of a single allele of BECN1 increases the incidence of tumors.79 Deletion of ATG7 has also been reported in several cancers.80, 81 In metabolic stress conditions, autophagy inhibition realized by inactivation of BECN1 or ATG5 increases DNA damage and chromosomal instabilities.82 Thus, autophagy seems to prevent damage to DNA and limit the occurrence of cancers.