This review article explores the role of selective autophagy in cancer, focusing on its mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and future perspectives. Selective autophagy is a process where specific organelles or proteins are targeted for degradation, such as mitochondria, peroxisomes, ribosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The article highlights the importance of selective autophagy in maintaining cellular homeostasis and its dysregulation in various diseases, including cancer. It discusses the molecular markers and signaling pathways involved in selective autophagy, such as mitophagy, ER-phagy, xenophagy, lipophagy, lysophagy, and pexophagy. The review also examines the potential of small-molecule compounds targeting these pathways for anti-tumor therapy, emphasizing the underlying mechanisms and future research directions. Key findings include the dual role of mitophagy in both promoting and inhibiting tumor development, the involvement of specific receptors like Atg32, BNIP3/NIX, p62, Parkin/PINK1, FUNDC1, and SMURF1, and the regulatory effects of selective autophagy on cancer cell survival, invasion, and drug resistance. The article concludes by providing insights into the therapeutic potential of selective autophagy-based strategies in cancer treatment.This review article explores the role of selective autophagy in cancer, focusing on its mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and future perspectives. Selective autophagy is a process where specific organelles or proteins are targeted for degradation, such as mitochondria, peroxisomes, ribosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The article highlights the importance of selective autophagy in maintaining cellular homeostasis and its dysregulation in various diseases, including cancer. It discusses the molecular markers and signaling pathways involved in selective autophagy, such as mitophagy, ER-phagy, xenophagy, lipophagy, lysophagy, and pexophagy. The review also examines the potential of small-molecule compounds targeting these pathways for anti-tumor therapy, emphasizing the underlying mechanisms and future research directions. Key findings include the dual role of mitophagy in both promoting and inhibiting tumor development, the involvement of specific receptors like Atg32, BNIP3/NIX, p62, Parkin/PINK1, FUNDC1, and SMURF1, and the regulatory effects of selective autophagy on cancer cell survival, invasion, and drug resistance. The article concludes by providing insights into the therapeutic potential of selective autophagy-based strategies in cancer treatment.