How Cells Resist Chemotherapy
Posted 3/10/2011
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One of the most difficult problems about cancer is the unfortunate reality that some cancer cells resist chemotherapy. This usually becomes more of an issue over time, and over multiple treatments, as cells mutate to become resistant to whatever the drugs are that they are receiving. This is a good, brief explanation from Nature about this. If you are interested in the biology and want to read more, do pick up a copy of The Emperor of all Maladies.
Here is an excerpt and then a link to read more:
How tumours resist chemotherapy
Potent chemotherapy drugs such as Taxol (paclitaxel) prompt cancer cells to self-destruct — but some tumours stubbornly survive the treatment.
Two studies have now independently pinpointed a gene that lies behind at least part of this resistance1,2. The discovery could help oncologists predict which patients are likely to respond to Taxol and drugs with similar actions, and which may not. It also flags up new targets for cancer therapy.
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