AUTHOR=Godwin Peter , Baird Anne-Marie , Heavey Susan , Barr Martin , O'Byrne Kenneth , Gately Kathy A. TITLE=Targeting Nuclear Factor-Kappa B to Overcome Resistance to Chemotherapy JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology VOLUME=3 YEAR=2013 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2013.00120 DOI=10.3389/fonc.2013.00120 ISSN=2234-943X ABSTRACT=

Intrinsic or acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is a common phenomenon and a major challenge in the treatment of cancer patients. Chemoresistance is defined by a complex network of factors including multi-drug resistance proteins, reduced cellular uptake of the drug, enhanced DNA repair, intracellular drug inactivation, and evasion of apoptosis. Pre-clinical models have demonstrated that many chemotherapy drugs, such as platinum-based agents, antracyclines, and taxanes, promote the activation of the NF-κB pathway. NF-κB is a key transcription factor, playing a role in the development and progression of cancer and chemoresistance through the activation of a multitude of mediators including anti-apoptotic genes. Consequently, NF-κB has emerged as a promising anti-cancer target. Here, we describe the role of NF-κB in cancer and in the development of resistance, particularly cisplatin. Additionally, the potential benefits and disadvantages of targeting NF-κB signaling by pharmacological intervention will be addressed.