INVESTIGATING THE MECHANISMS OF DRUG RESISTANCE IN CANCER CELLS

Abstract

Cancer relapse has long been a deadly issue, and despite advances in oncology, there are currently no effective ways to stop it.  The main cause of cancer recurrence is the emergence of treatment resistance.  Changes in the therapeutic targets lead to a complex process known as resistance to anticancer therapy.   New approaches to fighting drug resistance are made possible by developments in proteomics, DNA microarray, and customized drugs.    Despite the rapid discovery of novel chemotherapy drugs, no effective chemotherapy agent has been found to target advanced cancer stages, such as invasion and metastasis.   Multi-drug resistance, apoptotic suppression, changes in drug metabolism, pharmacological and epigenetic targets, improving DNA repair, and gene amplification are some of the reasons that might lead to drug resistance in cancer.   This review outlined the processes of cancer medication resistance and the reasons why typical chemotherapy therapies are ineffective for different forms of cancer.