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ABC Transporters in the Development of Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Therapy

Angelika Dlugosz, Anna Janecka1

  • 1Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-215 Lodz, Poland. anna.janecka@umed.lodz.pl.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|March 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Drug resistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy. This review focuses on ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which enable cancer cells to expel chemotherapy drugs, leading to multidrug resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Drug resistance significantly compromises the efficacy of existing and emerging cancer treatments.
  • ATP binding cassette (ABC) proteins function as cellular efflux pumps, removing toxic substances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter families in multidrug resistance within cancer therapy.
  • To elucidate how cancer cells utilize ABC transporters as a defense mechanism against chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles and research papers.
  • Analysis of the function and implications of ABC transporter families in cancer drug resistance.
  • Synthesis of information on specific ABC transporters involved in multidrug resistance.

Main Results:

  • Several ABC transporter families are identified as key mediators of multidrug resistance in cancer.
  • These transporters enable cancer cells to recognize and expel a wide range of chemotherapeutic agents.
  • The cellular defense system involving ABC transporters contributes to treatment failure.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the mechanisms of ABC transporters is crucial for overcoming chemoresistance.
  • Targeting specific ABC transporters may offer new avenues for improving anticancer drug efficacy.
  • Further research into ABC transporter inhibitors is warranted for effective cancer treatment.

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