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Different strategies to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer

Manju Saraswathy1, Shaoqin Gong

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering and Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53715, USA.

Biotechnology Advances
|June 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Chemotherapy resistance is a major challenge in cancer treatment. This review explores multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms and strategies like novel drugs and RNA interference (RNAi) therapy to overcome them.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy resistance poses a significant obstacle in treating cancer patients.
  • Both intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms in cancer cells contribute to treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms in cancer cells.
  • To discuss current and emerging strategies for overcoming MDR in chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies on cancer multidrug resistance.
  • Analysis of cellular and noncellular resistance mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic strategies to circumvent MDR.

Main Results:

  • Multiple MDR mechanisms, including drug efflux, are identified in cancer cells.
  • Various approaches are being developed to enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
  • Strategies include novel anticancer drugs, MDR modulators, nanocarriers, and RNA interference (RNAi) therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding MDR mechanisms is crucial for effective cancer management.
  • Developing strategies to overcome MDR is essential for improving patient outcomes.
  • Combination therapies and novel drug delivery systems show promise in combating chemotherapy resistance.
Keywords:
Anticancer agentsCancerChemosensitizersMultidrug resistanceNanocarriersRNAi therapy

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