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Mechanisms and strategies to overcome multiple drug resistance in cancer

Tomris Ozben1

  • 1Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, 07070 Antalya, Turkey. ozben@akdeniz.edu.tr

FEBS Letters
|February 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in chemotherapy involves ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. This review covers MDR inhibitors and novel strategies to overcome drug resistance, aiming for effective and safe anticancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a significant challenge in cancer chemotherapy, limiting treatment efficacy.
  • ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters facilitate MDR by pumping anticancer drugs out of cells.
  • Current MDR inhibitors often cause side effects or have pharmacokinetic interactions with chemotherapy drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of ABC transporters in mediating MDR.
  • To discuss the development of novel MDR inhibitors.
  • To explore various strategies for suppressing MDR mechanisms in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications on ABC transporters and MDR.
  • Analysis of existing and emerging MDR inhibitor research.
  • Synthesis of information on different approaches to overcome MDR.

Main Results:

  • ABC transporters are key mediators of MDR through ATP-dependent drug efflux.
  • Development of MDR inhibitors faces challenges with clinical utility and side effects.
  • Novel strategies are being investigated to inhibit or circumvent MDR.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding ABC transporter function is crucial for developing effective MDR therapies.
  • Continued research is needed to discover non-toxic MDR inhibitors with minimal drug interactions.
  • Innovative approaches are essential to overcome MDR and improve chemotherapy outcomes.

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