Role of Midkine in Cancer Drug Resistance: Regulators of Its Expression and Its Molecular Targeting

Molecules involved in drug resistance can be targeted for better therapeutic efficacies. Research on midkine (MDK) has escalated in the last few decades, which affirms a positive correlation between disease progression and MDK expression in most cancers and indicates its association with multi-drug resistance in cancer. MDK, a secretory cytokine found in blood, can be exploited as a potent biomarker for the non-invasive detection of drug resistance expressed in various cancers and, thereby, can be targeted. We summarize the current information on the involvement of MDK in drug resistance, and transcriptional regulators of its expression and highlight its potential as a cancer therapeutic target.

Automated summary

Molecules involved in drug resistance can be targeted for better therapeutic efficacies. Research on midkine (MDK) has shown a positive correlation between disease progression and MDK expression in most cancers, indicating its association with multi-drug resistance. MDK, a secretory cytokine found in blood, can be used as a potent biomarker for non-invasive detection of drug resistance in cancer and can be targeted for therapy. This article summarizes the current knowledge on the involvement of MDK in drug resistance and its transcriptional regulation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for cancer.