(A) Autophagy. An isolation membrane engulfs cytoplasm or organelle to form a double-membrane cytosolic vesicle referred to as an autophagosome. This autophagosome fuses with a late endosome or a lysosome to form an autophagolysosome. Inside the autophagolysosome, the lysosomal hydrolases degrade the sequestered material, which then becomes available to the cell for recycling. (B) Similar processes in plasma cells¹  and cardiomyocytes³  have net opposing effects for the patient. Amyloidogenic immunoglobulin light chain induced dysregulated autophagy in a malignant PC favors cell death, which is good for the patient. In contrast, dysregulated autophagy in a cardiomyocyte also favors cell death, which is bad for the patient. ER, endoplasmic reticulum.