Rho GTPases: Promising candidates for overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance

Chun-Wen Zheng; Rui-Jie Zeng; Li-Yan Xu; En-Min Li

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.018

Rho GTPases: Promising candidates for overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance

Cancer Lett. 2020 Apr 10:475:65-78. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.018. Epub 2020 Jan 22.

Authors

Chun-Wen Zheng¹, Rui-Jie Zeng¹, Li-Yan Xu², En-Min Li³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China; The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China; Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China. Electronic address: lyxu@stu.edu.cn.
³ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China; The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China. Electronic address: nmli@stu.edu.cn.

PMID: 31981606
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.018

Abstract

Despite therapeutic advances, resistance to chemotherapy remains a major challenge to patients with malignancies. Rho GTPases are essential for the development and progression of various diseases including cancer, and a vast number of studies have linked Rho GTPases to chemoresistance. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms can expound the effects of Rho GTPases towards chemotherapeutic agents, and targeting Rho GTPases is a promising strategy to downregulate the chemo-protective pathways and overcome chemoresistance. Importantly, exceptions in certain biological conditions and interactions among the members of Rho GTPases should be noted. In this review, we focus on the role of Rho GTPases, particularly Rac1, in regulating chemoresistance and provide an overview of their related mechanisms and available inhibitors, which may offer novel options for future targeted cancer therapy.

Keywords: Cell signaling; Chemoresistance; Inhibitor; Rac1; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
Humans
Neoplasms / drug therapy
Neoplasms / metabolism
Neoplasms / pathology*
Signal Transduction
rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
rho GTP-Binding Proteins