Understanding Why Treatment Resistance Exists in Many Cancers

One of the biggest challenges that the medical community faces in fighting cancer is the treatment resistance phenomenon. Treatment resistance results in poor prognosis for patients due to the inability of available treatments to deliver meaningful beneficial changes in cancer progression. We discuss some of the mechanisms that have been studied as scientists search for a solution to treatment resistance in cancer patients.

For starters, it has now become clear that treatment resistance can be broadly categorized into two distinct groups. The first is primary/innate/intrinsic resistance, in which from the get-go, a patient doesn’t respond to the available cancer treatments that include immunotherapies, targeted treatments and conventional drugs.

The second group is secondary/acquired/extrinsic resistance, a situation in which a patient initially responds to the cancer treatment given but then the cancer develops resistance to that treatment and efficacy rates drop dramatically, rendering the treatment ineffective.

Innate/primary resistance occurs because of factors within the cancer’s biology. This often takes the form of preexisting mechanisms within the cancer, such as its ability to evade the immune system or the cancer’s inherent genetic instability. Because of these inbuilt factors, the immune system is often unable to detect tumor cells, for example as a result of the antigens expressed on the tumor cells changing constantly. This genomic/genetic instability makes it impossible for T-cells to identify the tumor cells in order to target them.

On the other hand, acquired resistance works differently. Scientists have learned that when a patient is initially sensitive to a given immunotherapy or targeted treatment, that sensitivity could reduce or stop altogether when the cancer evolves to bypass the specific mode of action that the treatment operated through.

For example, the cancer can activate a signaling pathway that enables it to thrive and grow without relying on the pathway that the treatment was intended to use in disrupting cancer cell growth or triggering tumor cell death.

In response to a treatment provided to disrupt the cancer, the tumor can also alter its microenvironment. For example, the tumor could mutate and alter its DNA so that it continues thriving even in the presence of a treatment that initially slowed the progression of that cancer.

When a tumor develops extrinsic/acquired resistance, patients often experience relapse or recurrence of the cancer that had at some point been treated effectively or slowed down significantly to a level where it no longer posed a major threat to the patient.

Scientists are currently preoccupied with finding ways to overcome acquired resistance to treatment in various cancer types and subtypes. For instance, the team at Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) is working to develop oncolytic virus therapies designed to equip the immune system with a better arsenal so that cancers like breast and lung cancer can be effectively treated using immunotherapy.

About BioMedWire

BioMedWire (“BMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the latest developments in the Biotechnology (BioTech), Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) and Life Sciences sectors. It is one of 75+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.

BMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

To receive SMS alerts from BioMedWire, “Biotech” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.BioMedWire.com/Disclaimer

BioMedWire
Austin, Texas
www.BioMedWire.com
512.354.7000 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com

BioMedWire is powered by IBN