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Evolution of acquired resistance to anti-cancer therapy

Jasmine Foo1, Franziska Michor2

  • 1School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|April 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Acquired drug resistance in cancer is a major challenge. Evolutionary theory helps understand resistance dynamics, pre-existing mutations, and optimal drug strategies to combat cancer evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Mathematical Biology

Background:

  • Acquired drug resistance significantly hinders effective cancer treatment.
  • Resistance arises from diverse factors, including host environment and cancer cell genetic/epigenetic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in understanding the evolutionary dynamics of acquired drug resistance.
  • To outline how evolutionary principles can address key questions in cancer drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advances in evolutionary dynamics of drug resistance.
  • Analysis of evolutionary theory applications in cancer research.

Main Results:

  • Evolutionary theory provides insights into resistance mutation dynamics within cancer populations.
  • It clarifies the risk of pre-existing resistance and informs drug cocktail composition and administration schedules.

Conclusions:

  • Evolutionary thinking is crucial for understanding and combating acquired drug resistance in cancer.
  • Further application of evolutionary principles can resolve outstanding challenges in cancer therapy.
Keywords:
CancerDrug resistanceEvolutionMathematical modelingOptimal dosing strategies

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