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Mechanisms of resistance to therapy and tumor cell survival

R J Arceci1

  • 1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Medical Center and Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.

Current Opinion in Hematology
|July 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Cancer treatment resistance is a major hurdle in curing patients. Malignant cells develop resistance by evading programmed cell death (apoptosis) and immune destruction, hindering effective cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Treatment resistance is the primary reason for cancer cure failure.
  • Cancer cells resist therapy through various adaptive mechanisms.
  • Understanding these resistance pathways is crucial for developing new treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the mechanisms of cancer treatment resistance.
  • To highlight recent advancements in understanding resistance pathways.
  • To focus on resistance to apoptosis and immune-mediated cytolysis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent publications (past year).
  • Analysis of mechanisms of drug resistance.
  • Examination of immune evasion strategies in cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • Malignant cells resist apoptosis through altered gene expression and protective adaptations.
  • Cancer cells evade immune recognition and T-cell destruction.
  • Mechanisms involve drug transport, metabolism, and target interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer resistance involves multifaceted strategies to evade cell death and immune surveillance.
  • Recent research emphasizes the complexity of these resistance mechanisms.
  • Targeting these pathways offers potential for overcoming treatment failure.

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