engleski

Molecular alternations induced in drug-resistant cells

The major obstacle to the ultimate success in cancer therapy is ability of tumor cells to develop resistance to anticancer drugs. Several molecular mechanisms have been suggested to be involved in drug-resistance: a) decrease in the intracellular drug accumulation (increased activity of membrane trasporters such as P-glycoprotein or multidrug-resistance-associated protein), b) changes in intracellular detoxification system (increased concentrations of glutathione or metallothioneins, or increased activity of related enzymes), c) alteration in nuclear enzymes (enhanced DNA repair and/or better tolerance of DNA damage, decreased activity of topoisomerases), d) altered expresion of oncogenes (inducing increased level of protective molecules in cells or the inhibition of apoptosis). Drug resistance is a multi factorial phenomenon. The complexity of molecular alterations in drug-resistant cells is and will stay the main problem for the successful treatment of cancer.

drug resistance; tumor cells; cancer chemotherapy

nije evidentirano