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Updated: Sep 12, 2025

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
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Investigation and development of natural products that target chemotherapy resistance factors in cancer cells

Takahiro Matsumoto1

  • 1Division of Biological Sciences-Laboratory of Public Health, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-Ku, Misasagi, Kyoto, 607-8412, Japan. tmatsumo@mb.kyoto-phu.ac.jp.

Journal of Natural Medicines
|August 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive treatment resistance. This review highlights natural product inhibitors discovered using a unique assay to overcome chemotherapy resistance in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to anti-cancer drugs.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to treatment failure due to inherent resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • HSPs and CSCs are key factors in the failure of anti-cancer drug treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review natural products that inhibit chemotherapy resistance factors in cancer cells.
  • To introduce novel inhibitors discovered through a unique assay system.
  • To explore strategies for overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of natural products targeting chemotherapy resistance.
  • Description of a unique assay system for discovering inhibitors.
  • Analysis of the role of HSPs and CSCs in cancer drug resistance.

Main Results:

  • Identification of various natural products with potential to inhibit chemotherapy resistance factors.
  • Demonstration of a unique assay system's efficacy in discovering these inhibitors.
  • Highlighting the significance of targeting HSPs and CSCs for improved cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Natural products offer a promising avenue for developing agents against chemotherapy resistance.
  • Targeting heat shock proteins and cancer stem cells is crucial for overcoming treatment failure.
  • The reviewed inhibitors discovered via the unique assay system hold potential for future anti-cancer drug development.
Keywords:
Cancer stem cellChemotherapy resistance factorHeat shock proteinWnt/β-catenin pathway

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