Proteomics for identifying mechanisms and biomarkers of drug resistance in cancer

A major problem in chemotherapy of cancer patients is drug resistance as well as unpredictable response to treatment. During chemotherapy, multiple alterations of genetics and epigenetics that contribute to chemoresistance take place, eventually impacting on disease outcome. A more complex picture of the mechanisms of drug resistance is now emerging through application of high-throughput proteomics technology. We have entered an exciting time where proteomics are being applied to characterize the mechanisms of drug resistance, and to identify biomarkers for predicting response to chemotherapy, thereby leading to personalized therapeutic strategies of cancer patients. Comparative proteomics have identified a large number of differentially expressed proteins associated with chemoresistance. Although roles and mechanisms of such proteins in chemoresistance need to be further proved, at least some of them may be potential biomarkers for predicting chemotherapeutic response. Herein, we review the recent advancements on proteomic investigation of chemoresistance in human cancer, and emphasize putative biomarkers for predicting chemotherapeutic response and possible mechanisms of chemoresistance identified through proteomic approaches. Suggested avenues for future work are discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.