Abstract
Chemoresistance of tumors is often reported to be due to overexpression of efflux transporters or genetic alterations of signaling pathways. More recently, there is increasing evidence that epigenetic modification contributes to the phenomenon of drug resistance. Despite alteration of DNA methylation or histone modifications, deregulated miRNA expression patterns of tumor cells have been identified as interfering with drug response. Attempts to modify the expression of selected miRNAs have partly led to intriguing improvements of chemotherapy response. This review focuses on the major epigenetic mechanisms, including the role of miRNA expression contributing to drug resistance and the role of epigenetic drugs to overcome nonresponse arising under conventional chemotherapy.
Financial&competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.