Title:Recent Advances in Elucidating Paclitaxel Resistance Mechanisms in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance
Volume: 27
Issue: 39
Author(s): Hongmei Cui, Kinsie Arnst, Duane D. Miller and Wei Li*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163,United States
Keywords:
Paclitaxel resistance, NSCLC, P-gp, Microtubule, Cancer cell survival and apoptosis, EMT, Activated
kinase pathway.
Abstract: Paclitaxel (PTX) is a first-line drug for late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients
who do not benefit from targeted therapy or immunotherapy. However, patients invariably develop
resistance to PTX upon prolonged treatments. Although diverse mechanisms leading to PTX
resistance have been well-documented in the literature, strategies to overcome PTX resistance in
NSCLC based on these mechanisms are still challenging. In this article, we reviewed recent advancements
elucidating major mechanisms of PTX resistance in NSCLC, including the overexpression of
ABC transporters, alternations to tubulin structures, and the involvement of cytokines, miRNAs, kinase
signaling pathways, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Potential markers of PTX resistance or
PTX response that could help to direct treatment decisions and restore cellular sensitivity to PTX were
also discussed. Finally, we summarized the corresponding strategies to overcome PTX resistance in
NSCLC cells, which might provide new insights into clinical trials and benefit lung cancer patients in
the future.