Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
Published on: December 9, 2015
New Insight to Overcome Tumor Resistance: An Overview from Cellular to Clinical Therapies
Giulia Mitola1, Paolo Falvo1, Francesco Bertolini1
1Laboratory of Hematology-Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 16, 20139 Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Disease relapse caused by drug resistance still represents a major clinical hurdle in cancer treatments. Tumor cells may take advantage of different intracellular and genetic systems attenuating the drug effects. Resistant cells or minimal residual disease (MRD) cells have strong clinical relevance, as they might give rise to secondary tumors when the therapy is concluded. Thus, MRDs are crucial therapeutic targets in order to prevent tumor relapse. Therefore, several groups aim at understanding how MRDs are orginated, characterizing their molecular features, and eradicating them. In this review, we will describe MRD from a genetic, evolutionary, and molecular point of view. Moreover, we will focus on the new in vitro, in vivo, preclinical, and clinical studies that aim at eradicating tumor resistance.
Insights
Minimal residual disease (MRD) cells drive cancer relapse due to drug resistance. Understanding MRD origins and molecular features is key to developing new therapies that eradicate resistant cells and prevent tumor recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Drug resistance in cancer leads to disease relapse, a significant clinical challenge.
- Tumor cells employ various intracellular and genetic mechanisms to evade drug efficacy.
- Minimal residual disease (MRD) cells are critical as they can initiate secondary tumors post-therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the genetic, evolutionary, and molecular aspects of minimal residual disease (MRD).
- To highlight current research and therapeutic strategies for eradicating drug-resistant cancer cells.
- To provide insights into preventing tumor relapse by targeting MRD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of in vitro, in vivo, preclinical, and clinical studies.
- Analysis of genetic and molecular characteristics of resistant cells.
- Exploration of evolutionary dynamics contributing to drug resistance.
Main Results:
- MRD cells represent a significant threat for cancer recurrence.
- Diverse genetic and molecular pathways contribute to the survival of resistant tumor cells.
- Emerging therapeutic approaches are being investigated to eliminate MRD.
Conclusions:
- Targeting MRD is essential for improving long-term cancer treatment outcomes.
- A comprehensive understanding of MRD's origins and features is crucial for effective eradication.
- Continued research into novel therapies is vital to overcome drug resistance and prevent relapse.
More Related Videos
08:59Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down
Published on: December 11, 2017
09:19Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...