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An ETP model (exclusion-tolerance-progression) for multi drug resistance
1Division of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. sukannan@utmb.edu
Theoretical Biology & Medical Modelling
|April 29, 2005
Summary
Tumor cells can develop multi-drug resistance, leading to chemotherapy failure. Understanding this acquired resistance as a developmental process can reveal therapeutic targets for eliminating cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chemotherapeutic agent sensitivity/resistance in tumor cells is an acquired trait influenced by tumor heterogeneity.
- Clinical chemotherapy success hinges on the balance between sensitive and resistant tumor cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a unifying model explaining the progression of tumor cells towards multi-drug resistance.
- To identify potential mechanisms underlying chemotherapy failure due to acquired resistance.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of findings from clinical studies.
- Analysis of experimental research data.
Main Results:
- A unifying model is presented to delineate the mechanism of tumor cell progression to multi-drug resistance.
- This progression is linked to the failure of chemotherapy treatments.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of multi-drug resistance is proposed as a developmentally orchestrated event.
- Identifying specific temporal stages in this process may reveal therapeutic targets for effective cancer elimination.