Bortezomib/proteasome inhibitor triggers both apoptosis and autophagy-dependent pathways in melanoma cells

► Bortezomib triggers both apoptosis and autophagy pathways in melanoma cells via mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial-dependent mechanisms. ► Interestingly, the inhibition of apoptosis-dependent pathways was found to potentiate bortezomib-induced autophagy, whereas the inhibition of apoptosis-dependent pathways positively enhanced bortezomib-induced autophagic formation. ► Thus, the combination of bortezomib with the inhibition of autophagy-dependent pathway(s) may provide a relevant therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma metastasis.