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Updated: May 5, 2026

Expression, Detergent Solubilization, and Purification of a Membrane Transporter, the MexB Multidrug Resistance Protein
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Multidrug resistance in cancer: role of ATP-dependent transporters

Michael M Gottesman1, Tito Fojo, Susan E Bates

  • 1Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Therapeutics Branch, The Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. mgottesman@nih.gov

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|March 21, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Predicting and overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer is crucial for improving chemotherapy effectiveness. Understanding how cancer cells evade drugs is key to developing better treatments for metastatic tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chemotherapeutics are primary treatments for metastatic tumors.
  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells impedes chemotherapy success.
  • Resistance mechanisms have been identified for most chemotherapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significance of multidrug resistance in cancer treatment.
  • To emphasize the need for strategies to predict and circumvent drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Review of three decades of multidrug resistance research.
  • Analysis of identified cancer cell resistance mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Cancer cells can develop simultaneous resistance to multiple drugs (multidrug resistance).
  • Resistance is observed against all effective chemotherapeutic agents, including novel ones.
  • Numerous mechanisms contribute to cancer cells evading chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Circumventing multidrug resistance is essential for improving chemotherapy outcomes.
  • Predicting drug resistance in cancer patients is a critical area for future research and clinical application.

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