Abstract
Over 90% of deaths in cancer patients are attributed to tumor drug resistance. Resistance to therapeutic agents can be due to an innate property of cancer cells or can be acquired during chemotherapy. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that regulation of membrane ion channels is an important mechanism in the development of chemoresistance. Here, we review the contribution of ion channels in drug resistance of various types of cancers, evaluating their potential in clinical management. Several molecular mechanisms have been proposed, including evasion of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, decreased drug accumulation in cancer cells, and activation of alternative escape pathways such as autophagy. Each of these mechanisms leads to a reduction of the therapeutic efficacy of administered drugs, causing more difficulty in cancer treatment. Thus, targeting ion channels might represent a good option for adjuvant therapies in order to counteract chemoresistance development.
Funder
Ministry of Education, Universities and Research
Italian Association for Cancer Research
Cited by
19 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献