Combating chemoresistance: Current approaches & nanocarrier mediated targeted delivery

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Chemoresistance is a major obstacle in cancer therapy, driven by complex molecular alterations.
• Current targeted therapies show suboptimal success rates due to mechanisms like drug efflux and target mutation.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying chemoresistance.
• To propose advanced nanotechnological approaches for overcoming chemoresistance.
• To review current therapeutic limitations and advocate for novel combination strategies.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of literature on cancer hallmarks and pathways implicated in chemoresistance.
• Exploration of nanotechnological applications in targeting molecular determinants of chemoresistance.
• Analysis of conventional and natural compounds for combination therapy.

Main Results:

• Identified key molecular drivers of chemoresistance including transporter pumps, oncogenes, and epigenetic modifications.
• Highlighted limitations of existing therapies such as adverse effects and suboptimal efficacy.
• Proposed nanotechnological strategies for precise targeting of chemoresistance mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Nanotechnology offers a promising approach to precisely target molecular determinants of chemoresistance.
• Combination therapy using nanoparticle-conjugated drugs and natural compounds may reverse or minimize chemoresistance.
• Further research into nanotechnological interventions is essential for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy.