Primary Versus Acquired Resistance
Cancer cells can evolve ways to evade a drug’s attack, or they may already be resistant prior to treatment.
© NIRJA DESAI
Examples of Acquired Resistance
Resistance to chemotherapy likely encompasses a broad range of mechanisms having to do with DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, apoptotic pathways, and others, many of which are still unknown. When it comes to molecular-targeted agents and immunotherapies, however, research has nailed down some basic strategies.
© NIRJA DESAI
Mutations within the target protein can prevent drug binding, or keep the protein active despite drug binding.
© NIRJA DESAI
Mutations can restore cellular signaling by affecting a downstream gene or by activating a bypass pathway.
© NIRJA DESAI
Tumor cells can lose characteristics of their typical cell type and acquire characteristics of a different lineage that does not depend on signaling blocked by the cancer drug.
© NIRJA DESAI
Mutations can...
© NIRJA DESAI
Mutations and other changes alter the target protein. These can include altered splicing of the tumor target, which blocks recognition by the engineered T cell.
Read the full story.
Interested in reading more?
The Scientist ARCHIVES
Become a Member of
