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Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
08:46

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

Published on: December 9, 2015

10.7K

Emerging targets in cancer drug resistance

Shashank Kumar1, Prem Prakash Kushwaha1, Sanjay Gupta2,3,4,5,6

  • 1School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India.

Cancer Drug Resistance (Alhambra, Calif.)
|May 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cells develop drug resistance through various mechanisms, hindering chemotherapy. This review explores emerging molecular targets and pathways crucial for overcoming chemotherapy resistance and improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Drug resistance is a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy, leading to treatment failure.
  • Malignant cells acquire resistance via diverse molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways.
  • Understanding these resistance mechanisms is vital for developing effective cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent emerging molecular targets and pathways involved in cancer drug resistance.
  • To highlight key mechanisms driving the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.
  • To provide insights for novel drug discovery and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways in cancer drug resistance.
  • Identification of emerging therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • Several novel molecular targets and pathways have been identified that significantly contribute to drug resistance.
  • Specific mechanisms, including altered drug metabolism and efflux, DNA repair, and signaling pathway activation, are discussed.
  • Emerging targets show potential for overcoming acquired resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting these newly identified pathways and molecules offers promising strategies to combat chemotherapy resistance.
  • Further research into these mechanisms can lead to the development of more effective and personalized cancer treatments.
  • Overcoming drug resistance is critical for improving patient survival and therapeutic success in oncology.
Keywords:
Drug resistanceFOXO transcription factorsKeap1-Nrf2MIEN1PI3K-Aktannexinsfocal adhesion kinasesgene splicingmicroRNAsphingolipidstransforming growth factor-β

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