Treatment-driven tumour heterogeneity and drug resistance: lessons from solid tumours

Despite the advances that cancer therapies have made in recent years [1], primary or secondary treatment resistance to systemic therapies for advanced cancer stages is still a challenge to overcome [2]. While primary resistance is due to the presence of intrinsic mechanisms in tumour cells existing at the beginning of the treatment, secondary resistance occurs in tumours that are initially responsive to therapy and become insensitive during treatment [3]. Heterogeneity is at the basis of tumour evolution and adaptation, which are dynamic, continuous, and modified by treatment exposures, compromising the efficacy of treatment itself.

Source: Cancer Treatment Reviews - January 31, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Stefania Crucitta, Federico Cucchiara, Ron Mathijssen, Joaquin Mateo, Agnes Jager, Arjen Joosse, Antonio Passaro, Ilaria Attili, Iacopo Petrini, Ron van Schaik, Romano Danesi, Marzia Del Re Tags: Anti-tumour Treatment Source Type: research