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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
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Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

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Drug resistance in cancer: mechanisms and tackling strategies

Tanweer Haider1, Vikas Pandey1, Nagma Banjare1,2

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, 470003, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Pharmacological Reports : PR
|July 24, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Drug resistance hinders chemotherapy effectiveness. Novel strategies like targeted nanotherapeutics and small molecules are emerging to overcome cancer drug resistance by enhancing drug delivery and modulating resistance pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Drug resistance is a major cause of chemotherapy failure in cancer.
  • Mechanisms include tumor heterogeneity, cellular changes, genetic factors, and novel pathways.
  • Addressing these mechanisms is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse mechanisms underlying cancer drug resistance.
  • To highlight recent therapeutic advancements for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
  • To discuss strategies for enhancing chemotherapeutic sensitivity and efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mechanisms of drug resistance.
  • Analysis of emerging therapeutic approaches, including small molecules, peptides, and nanotherapeutics.
  • Examination of drug delivery systems with targeting moieties.

Main Results:

  • Small molecules, peptides, and nanotherapeutics show promise in overcoming drug resistance.
  • Targeted drug delivery systems enhance site-specificity and intracellular drug concentration.
  • Therapeutic approaches modulate key pathways involved in drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Novel therapeutic strategies are essential to combat cancer drug resistance.
  • Advanced drug delivery systems can significantly improve treatment efficacy.
  • Further research into novel resistance mechanisms and targeted therapies is warranted.
Keywords:
CancerDrug effluxDrug resistanceEpigeneticsMembrane lipidsMultidrug resistanceNanochemotherapeuticProdrugTumor microenvironment

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