Mechanisms of resistance to target therapy
Matsusaka, S.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 70(12): 2195-2198
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 23259396 Document Number: 660122
Cancer therapies are changing from general chemotherapeutic agents to drugs that target specific proteins and signaling pathways. Target therapies, which attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells, have the potential to treat cancers with fewer side effects than conventional therapies. This article reviews mechanisms of resistance to targeted agents, including genetic resistance, bypass track resistance, and defect growth arrest/apoptosis. Secondary mutations reduce the biologic effects of inhibiting the driver oncoprotein. Interaction and cross signaling from targeting receptor to other growth factor receptors may potentially contribute to therapeutic resistance. They explain why solid tumors develop resistance to target therapies in a highly reproducible fashion.