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Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Targeted Drug Nanodelivery and Immunotherapy for Combating Tumor Resistance
Yun Liu1, Xinyu Sun2, Chen Wei2
1School of Stomatology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China.
Abstract:
Chemotherapy resistance is a common cause of tumor treatment failure. Various molecular responses, such as increased expression of efflux transporter proteins, including Pglycoprotein (P-gp), changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), the role of platelets, and the effects of cancer stem cells (CSCs), can lead to drug resistance. Through extensive research on the mechanisms of drug resistance, more effective anti-resistance drugs and therapeutic approaches are being developed. This review explores drug resistance mechanisms and summarizes relevant anti-resistance drugs. In addition, due to the therapeutic limitations of the aforementioned treatments, new advances in nanocarrier-based combination immunotherapy to address the challenge of drug resistance have been described. Nanocarriers combined with immunotherapy can not only target tumor sites for targeted drug release but also modulate the autoimmune system and enhance immune efficacy, thereby overcoming tumor drug resistance. This review suggests new strategies for overcoming tumor drug resistance and is expected to inform tumor treatment and prognosis.
Insights
Chemotherapy resistance in tumors is a major challenge. This review details resistance mechanisms and highlights nanocarrier-based immunotherapy as a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Chemotherapy resistance is a primary reason for treatment failure in cancer.
- Mechanisms include P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression, tumor microenvironment (TME) alterations, platelet involvement, and cancer stem cells (CSCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance.
- To summarize existing anti-resistance drugs and novel therapeutic strategies.
- To explore nanocarrier-based combination immunotherapy for overcoming drug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of chemotherapy resistance mechanisms.
- Analysis of current anti-resistance drugs.
- Examination of nanocarrier-based immunotherapy approaches.
Main Results:
- Identified key molecular drivers of chemotherapy resistance.
- Highlighted limitations of current anti-resistance therapies.
- Described the potential of nanocarriers combined with immunotherapy to target tumors and enhance immune response.
Conclusions:
- Nanocarrier-based combination immunotherapy offers a novel strategy to overcome tumor drug resistance.
- This approach enhances targeted drug delivery and modulates the immune system for improved efficacy.
- New strategies are suggested to improve tumor treatment and patient prognosis.
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