Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy (Nov 2020)

Resistance and Overcoming Resistance in Breast Cancer

  • Luque-Bolivar A,
  • Pérez-Mora E,
  • Villegas VE,
  • Rondón-Lagos M

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 211 – 229

Abstract

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Andrea Luque-Bolivar,1 Erika Pérez-Mora,1 Victoria Eugenia Villegas,2 Milena Rondón-Lagos1 1School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia; 2Biology Program, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, ColombiaCorrespondence: Victoria Eugenia VillegasBiology Program, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, ColombiaTel/Fax +57-1-297-0200 Ext 4029Email [email protected] Rondón-LagosSchool of Biological Sciences, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, ColombiaTel/Fax +57-8-7420-8263Email [email protected]: The incidence and mortality of breast cancer (BC) have increased in recent years, and BC is the main cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. One of the most significant clinical problems in the treatment of patients with BC is the development of therapeutic resistance. Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in drug resistance is critical. The therapeutic decision for the management of patients with BC is based not only on the assessment of prognostic factors but also on the evaluation of clinical and pathological parameters. Although this has been a successful approach, some patients relapse and/or eventually develop resistance to treatment. This review is focused on recent studies on the possible biological and molecular mechanisms involved in both response and resistance to treatment in BC. Additionally, emerging treatments that seek to overcome resistance and reduce side effects are also described. A greater understanding of the mechanisms of action of treatments used in BC might contribute not only to the enhancement of our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of resistance but also to the optimization of the existing treatment regimens.Keywords: breast cancer, endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, resistance, emerging treatments

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