Action of chemotherapeutic drugs-molecular mechanism and role of signaling molecules at cellular level

Abstract

The response rates of extensively used chemotherapeutic drugs are relatively disappointing because of considerable side effects associated with their high-dose regimen and due to the lack of specificity towards their respective molecular target. Aim of the present study is to offer a better and more rational approach to cancer chemotherapeutic treatment. Hence the primary objective of present study is to identify some compounds/drugs, which show additive or synergistic cytotoxic effects or enhance the drug uptake in combination with other conventional cytotoxic drugs to facilitate reduction of drug dosage. In addition to investigate the functions of some important regulatory proteins, present study also aims to explore novel targets of drug(s) and their involvement in the induction of cell death initiated by different chemotherapeutic drugs in breast cancer cells. One of the objectives of the present study was to enhance the efficacy of low concentrations of Carboplatin (Carb) or 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU).