Pharmacological Basis of Breast Cancer Resistance to Therapies - An Overview

Author(s):

Stefania Crucitta, Federico Cucchiara, Francesca Sciandra, Annalisa Cerbioni, Lucrezia Diodati, Concetta Rafaniello, Annalisa Capuano, Andrea Fontana, Stefano Fogli, Romano Danesi* and Marzia Del Re   Pages 760 - 774 ( 15 )

Abstract:

Breast Cancer (BC) is a molecular heterogeneous disease and patients with similar clinico-pathological characteristics often display different response to treatment. Cellular processes, including uncontrolled cell-cycle, constitutive activation of signalling pathways and alterations in DNA-repair mechanisms are the main altered features in breast cancer. These cellular processes play significant roles in the emergence of resistance to therapies. The introduction of target therapies and immunotherapy significantly improved the survival of breast cancer patients. The incorporation of novel biomarkers together with the introduction of new therapeutic options may help to overcome treatment resistance. Molecular profiling promises to help in refine personalized treatment decisions and catalyse the development of further strategies when resistances inevitably occurs. This review provides a summary of genetic and molecular aspects of resistance mechanisms to available treatments for BC patients, and its clinical implications.

Keywords:

Breast cancer, target therapy, mechanisms of resistance, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, triple-negative breast cancer.

Affiliation:

Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, , Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa

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