SQSTM1 and cancer: Taking into consideration the dual role of autophagy related proteins in the development of cancer, we can suggest that impaired autophagic flux with an increase in p62 protein level may be involved in the activation of NRF2 and contributes to the tumorigenesis and/or neoplastic recurrence by a more functioning proteosomal system, probably due to intrinsic neoplastic hypoxic conditions.