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Updated: May 8, 2026

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: November 11, 2018
Rho GTPases in cancer resistance: mechanisms, vulnerabilities, and therapeutic opportunities
Amy Beaudin1,2,3,4, Philippe Lefrançois5,6,7, Mélanie Laurin1,2,3,4
1Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
Abstract:
Intrinsic and adaptive resistance to therapy remain major barriers to effective cancer treatment. Diverse resistance mechanisms, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhanced tolerance to DNA damage, impaired cell death pathways, metabolic reprogramming, and cues from the tumour microenvironment, are increasingly recognised as being tightly integrated with Rho GTPase signalling networks. Accumulating evidence positions these pathways as central regulators of therapeutic resistance across multiple cancer types. In this review, we synthesise recent experimental findings linking Rho GTPase-mediated signalling to therapy resistance and evaluate emerging strategies aimed at targeting these signalling axes. We critically examine the translational readiness of approaches that directly inhibit Rho GTPases, disrupt downstream effector pathways, or modulate canonical regulators such as RhoGEFs and RhoGAPs, and discuss the key challenges and opportunities associated with their clinical deployment. Collectively, these insights highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting Rho GTPase signalling as a foundation for next-generation cancer treatments.
Insights
Rho GTPase signalling networks are key regulators of cancer therapy resistance. Targeting these pathways offers a promising strategy for developing next-generation cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intrinsic and adaptive resistance to cancer therapy are significant obstacles.
- Mechanisms of resistance, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metabolic reprogramming, are linked to Rho GTPase signalling.
- Rho GTPase pathways are central regulators of therapeutic resistance across various cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on Rho GTPase signalling in cancer therapy resistance.
- To evaluate emerging strategies targeting Rho GTPase signalling axes.
- To discuss the clinical applicability of targeting Rho GTPase pathways.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental findings.
- Synthesis of recent research linking Rho GTPase signalling to therapy resistance.
- Critical examination of therapeutic strategies targeting Rho GTPase pathways.
Main Results:
- Rho GTPase signalling networks are integrated with diverse cancer resistance mechanisms.
- These pathways are identified as central regulators of therapeutic resistance.
- Emerging strategies focus on inhibiting Rho GTPases, their effectors, or regulators like RhoGEFs and RhoGAPs.
Conclusions:
- Targeting Rho GTPase signalling holds significant therapeutic potential for cancer.
- Developing strategies to modulate Rho GTPase pathways is crucial for next-generation cancer treatments.
- Challenges and opportunities exist for the clinical deployment of these targeted approaches.
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