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Tumor-targeting peptides and small molecules as anti-cancer agents to overcome drug resistance

Ehsan Sarafraz-Yazdi, Matthew R Pincus, Josef Michl1

  • 1Dept. Pathology, Box 25, 450 Clarkson Ave, BSB 4-122, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA. ehsun.yazdi@downstate.edu.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|September 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer therapy. This review explores small molecule inhibitors and peptides, discussing resistance mechanisms and strategies to overcome them in targeted cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy resistance is a universal challenge in cancer treatment.
  • Advances in cancer genomics and signaling pathways have led to targeted therapies.
  • Despite targeted approaches, drug resistance remains a significant clinical hurdle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review small molecule inhibitors and peptides as anti-cancer therapeutic approaches.
  • To describe resistance mechanisms to these novel therapies.
  • To discuss strategies for overcoming cancer drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of small molecule inhibitors and peptide-based anti-cancer therapies.
  • Analysis of resistance mechanisms including cell-autonomous factors, tumor microenvironment, and germline factors.
  • Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of each therapeutic approach in overcoming resistance.

Main Results:

  • Cancer resistance involves complex interactions between cancer cells and host physiology.
  • Resistance mechanisms are diverse, encompassing intrinsic cellular changes and extrinsic factors.
  • Both small molecule inhibitors and peptides face challenges with acquired drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Overcoming cancer drug resistance requires a multifaceted approach.
  • Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
  • Targeted therapies, including small molecule inhibitors and peptides, hold promise but require strategies to mitigate resistance for improved patient outcomes.

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