Abstract
Gastrointestinal tumours constitute one of the worldwide leading causes of death. One important limitation in the battle against these types of cancer is their lack of sensitivity to currently available chemotherapy and the development of drug resistance during treatment. The mechanisms responsible for this refractivity include a reduction in drug uptake, enhanced drug export, intracellular inactivation of the effective agent, alteration of the molecular target, an increase in the activity of the target route to be inhibited or the appearance or stimulation of alternative routes, enhanced repair of drug-induced modification in the target molecules, and activation/inhibition of intracellular signalling pathways, which leads to a negative balance between apoptosis/survival of tumour cells. A better understanding of these mechanisms is needed in order to develop both accurate tests to predict the lack of response to chemotherapy and novel approaches aimed to overcome the drug resistance of gastrointestinal tumours. The complexity of this issue is further increased owing to the existence of marked differences among the types of primary malignant gastrointestinal tumours and the diversity of tissues from which metastatic cells can access the gut. Moreover, inter-individual variability plus the fact that sensitivity/refractivity may change during the evolution of the tumour further complicate the overall situation. The present article reviews anti-cancer agents used either alone or, more frequently, combined in regimens, as neoadjuvant or postsurgical adjuvant chemotherapy within the context of the available curative and palliative therapeutic options used to treat the most common types of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.
Keywords: Chemotherapy, Gastrointestinal Tumours, intracellular signalling, metastatic cells, anti-cancer agents, pancreas
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Importance and Limitations of Chemotherapy Among the Available Treatments for Gastrointestinal Tumours
Volume: 9 Issue: 2
Author(s): Jose J.G. Marin, Marta R. Romero, Alba G. Blazquez, Elisa Herraez, Emma Keck and Oscar Briz
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chemotherapy, Gastrointestinal Tumours, intracellular signalling, metastatic cells, anti-cancer agents, pancreas
Abstract: Gastrointestinal tumours constitute one of the worldwide leading causes of death. One important limitation in the battle against these types of cancer is their lack of sensitivity to currently available chemotherapy and the development of drug resistance during treatment. The mechanisms responsible for this refractivity include a reduction in drug uptake, enhanced drug export, intracellular inactivation of the effective agent, alteration of the molecular target, an increase in the activity of the target route to be inhibited or the appearance or stimulation of alternative routes, enhanced repair of drug-induced modification in the target molecules, and activation/inhibition of intracellular signalling pathways, which leads to a negative balance between apoptosis/survival of tumour cells. A better understanding of these mechanisms is needed in order to develop both accurate tests to predict the lack of response to chemotherapy and novel approaches aimed to overcome the drug resistance of gastrointestinal tumours. The complexity of this issue is further increased owing to the existence of marked differences among the types of primary malignant gastrointestinal tumours and the diversity of tissues from which metastatic cells can access the gut. Moreover, inter-individual variability plus the fact that sensitivity/refractivity may change during the evolution of the tumour further complicate the overall situation. The present article reviews anti-cancer agents used either alone or, more frequently, combined in regimens, as neoadjuvant or postsurgical adjuvant chemotherapy within the context of the available curative and palliative therapeutic options used to treat the most common types of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Marin J.G. Jose, Romero R. Marta, Blazquez G. Alba, Herraez Elisa, Keck Emma and Briz Oscar, Importance and Limitations of Chemotherapy Among the Available Treatments for Gastrointestinal Tumours, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 9 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152009787313828
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152009787313828 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Targeted Drug Delivery: Trends and Perspectives
Current Drug Delivery Biological Relevance of Lysophospholipids and Green Solutions for Their Synthesis
Current Organic Chemistry Aflibercept: A Novel VEGF Targeted Agent to Explore the Future Perspectives of Anti-Angiogenic Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Tumors
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Colorectal Carcinogensis and Suppression of Tumor Development by Inhibition of Enzymes and Molecular Targets
Current Enzyme Inhibition Review of Rational Approaches to the Treatment of Pain Management-Role forOpioids Therapies
Current Drug Therapy Is There a Role for Cytokine Based Therapies in Fibromyalgia
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Emerging Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in Ovarian Cancer
Current Drug Metabolism Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Colonic Diverticulum Complications
Current Medical Imaging Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Integrin α4β7 Antagonists: Activities, Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Prospects
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Medicinal Chemistry Approaches of Controlling Gastrointestinal Side Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Endogenous Protective Mechanisms and Drug Design
Medicinal Chemistry Established and In-trial GPCR Families in Clinical Trials: A Review for Target Selection
Current Drug Targets Bioactive Peptides in Preventative Healthcare: An Overview of Bioactivities and Suggested Methods to Assess Potential Applications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Insights into Targeting NEMO for Pharmacological Regulation
Current Drug Targets Bevacizumab for Malignant Brain Gliomas. Which is the Current Evidence?
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one C5 Amides as Inhibitors of T NFα Production: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modeling
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Prokinetic Agents and QT Prolongation: A Familiar Scene with New Actors
Current Drug Safety Therapeutic Potential of Targeting TREM-1 in Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Challenges in Oral Delivery: Role of P-gp Efflux Pump
Current Drug Therapy Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis: Where do we Stand?
Current Drug Targets