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Published on: March 1, 2019
Hypoxia and Noncoding RNAs in Taxane Resistance
Perla Pucci1, Pasquale Rescigno2, Semini Sumanasuriya3
1School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
Abstract:
Taxanes are chemotherapeutic drugs employed in the clinic to treat a variety of malignancies. Despite their overall efficacy, cancer cells often display resistance to taxanes. Therefore, new strategies to increase the effectiveness of taxane-based chemotherapeutics are urgently needed. Multiple molecular players are linked to taxane resistance; these include efflux pumps, DNA repair mechanisms, and hypoxia-related pathways. In addition, emerging evidence indicates that both non-coding RNAs and epigenetic effectors might also be implicated in taxane resistance. Here we focus on the causes of taxane resistance, with the aim to envisage an integrated model of the 'taxane resistance phenome'. This model could help the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat taxane-resistant neoplasms.
Insights
Taxanes are vital chemotherapy drugs, but cancer cells can become resistant. Understanding the complex mechanisms of taxane resistance is key to developing new treatments for resistant cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Taxanes are widely used chemotherapeutics for various cancers.
- Cancer cells frequently develop resistance to taxanes, limiting treatment efficacy.
- New strategies are needed to overcome taxane resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and consolidate the known causes of taxane resistance.
- To propose an integrated model of the 'taxane resistance phenome'.
- To guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies for taxane-resistant neoplasms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on molecular mechanisms of taxane resistance.
- Analysis of various cellular pathways and effectors implicated in resistance.
- Conceptualization of an integrated model for taxane resistance.
Main Results:
- Taxane resistance is multifactorial, involving efflux pumps, DNA repair, and hypoxia.
- Non-coding RNAs and epigenetic factors are emerging as significant contributors to resistance.
- An integrated understanding of these diverse mechanisms is lacking.
Conclusions:
- An integrated model of the 'taxane resistance phenome' is proposed.
- This model can facilitate the development of more effective therapies for resistant cancers.
- Further research into the interplay of resistance mechanisms is warranted.
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