ABC Transporters in the Development of Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the developed countries. The search for novel drug candidates is a priority goal for cancer therapy. However, the emergence of drug resistance reduces the effectiveness of new medications. The ATP binding cassette (ABC) family of proteins are efflux pumps that transport various structurally unrelated and potentially dangerous substances out of the cells. These transporters have evolved as a complex cellular defense system, for the recognition and removal of toxic agents entering the cells from their environment. Several of the ABC transporters are related to chemoresistance in cancer therapy, as the rapidly dividing malignant cells use them to protect themselves from medical interventions. Here we review the members of the ABC transporter families responsible for the multidrug resistance in anticancer therapy.