This review discusses the role of autophagy in cell survival and cell death, focusing on the signaling pathways that control autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic process that removes damaged proteins and organelles, and it is regulated by various signaling pathways, including the class-I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. These pathways play a central role in controlling autophagy in response to nutrient deprivation and growth factor absence. However, autophagy can also be a cell death mechanism, either as autophagic cell death or in conjunction with apoptosis. The review highlights the complex interplay between autophagy and apoptosis, where autophagy can either protect cells from apoptosis or contribute to its execution. The authors also discuss the role of amino acids in regulating autophagy, including their inhibitory effects on autophagy through mTOR and other signaling pathways. Additionally, they explore the involvement of other signaling pathways, such as the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, in controlling autophagy. The review concludes by discussing the dual nature of autophagy in cell survival and cell death, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.This review discusses the role of autophagy in cell survival and cell death, focusing on the signaling pathways that control autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic process that removes damaged proteins and organelles, and it is regulated by various signaling pathways, including the class-I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. These pathways play a central role in controlling autophagy in response to nutrient deprivation and growth factor absence. However, autophagy can also be a cell death mechanism, either as autophagic cell death or in conjunction with apoptosis. The review highlights the complex interplay between autophagy and apoptosis, where autophagy can either protect cells from apoptosis or contribute to its execution. The authors also discuss the role of amino acids in regulating autophagy, including their inhibitory effects on autophagy through mTOR and other signaling pathways. Additionally, they explore the involvement of other signaling pathways, such as the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, in controlling autophagy. The review concludes by discussing the dual nature of autophagy in cell survival and cell death, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.