Title:Targeted Cancer Therapy; Nanotechnology Approaches for Overcoming Drug Resistance
Volume: 22
Issue: 11
Author(s): Yan Gao, Jacson K. Shen, Lara Milane, Francis J. Hornicek, Mansoor M. Amiji and Zhenfeng Duan
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Drug resistance, nanotechnology, targeted cancer therapy.
Abstract: Recent advances in cancer molecular biology have resulted in parallel and unprecedented
progress in the development of targeted cancer therapy. Targeted therapy can provide higher efficacy
and lower toxicity than conventional chemotherapy for cancer. However, like traditional chemotherapy,
molecularly targeted cancer therapy also faces the challenge of drug resistance. Multiple mechanisms
are responsible for chemotherapy resistance in tumors, including over-expression of efflux transporters, somatic alterations
of drug targets, deregulation of apoptosis, and numerous pharmacokinetic issues. Nanotechnology based approaches
are proving to be efficacious in overcoming drug resistance in cancer. Combination of targeted therapies with
nanotechnology approaches is a promising strategy to overcome targeted therapy drug resistance in cancer treatment. This
review discusses the mechanisms of targeted drug resistance in cancer and discusses nanotechnology approaches to circumvent
this resistance.
