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ABC Transporters, Drug Resistance, and Cancer Stem Cells

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Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The protection of the body’s stem cells from damage or death due to toxins is a critical function of an organism, as the stem cells need to remain intact for the entire life of the organism. One of the principal mechanisms for protecting stem cells is through the expression of multifunctional efflux transporters from the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) gene family. These same transporters have been known for over 25 years to also play a role in multidrug resistance of tumor cells. An exciting outcome of the concept of the cancer stem cell is that the tumor initiating cell may be innately resistant to many standard therapies. This provides one mechanism in which cancer stem cells could survive cytotoxic or targeted therapies and lead to tumor regrowth or relapse. Gaining a better insight into the mechanisms of stem cell resistance to chemotherapy might therefore lead to new therapeutic targets and better anti-cancer strategies.

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Abbreviations

ABC:

ATP-binding cassette

EGF:

epidermal growth factor

TM:

transmembrane

NBFs:

nucleotide binding folds

MDR:

multidrug resistant

SP:

side population

CML:

chronic myelogenous leukemia

ALL:

acute lymphoblastic leukemia

TKI:

tyrosine kinase inhibitor

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  1. Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA

    Michael Dean

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Dean, M. ABC Transporters, Drug Resistance, and Cancer Stem Cells. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 14, 3–9 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-009-9109-9

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