What “The Cancer Genome Atlas” database tells us about the role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins in chemoresistance to anticancer drugs

AbstractIntroduction: Chemotherapy remains the only option for advanced cancer patients when other alternatives are not feasible. Nevertheless, the success rate of this type of therapy is often low due to intrinsic or acquired mechanisms of chemoresistance. Among them, drug extrusion from cancer cells through ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins play an important role. ABC pumps are primary active transporters involved in the barrier and secretory functions of many healthy cells.Areas covered: In this review, we have used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to explore the relationship between the expression of the major ABC proteins involved in cancer chemoresistance in the most common types of cancer, and the drugs used in the treatment of these tumors that are substrates of these pumps.Expert opinion: From unicellular organisms to humans, several ABC proteins play a major role in detoxification processes. Cancer cells exploit this ability to protect themselves from cytostatic drugs. Among the ABC pum...