Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer and Associated Gene Targets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: When tumors become resistant to chemotherapeutics, alternative treatment strategies must be explored. Gene targeting provides a personalized and molecular approach to tackling chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. However, to advance the current landscape of gene targeting in ovarian cancer, the therapeutic potential of more gene targets should be explored. Here, we review several novel and well-studied genes that can be investigated as potential gene targets in ovarian cancer to increase chemotherapeutic response. ABSTRACT: In the United States, over 100,000 women are diagnosed with a gynecologic malignancy every year, with ovarian cancer being the most lethal. One of the hallmark characteristics of ovarian cancer is the development of resistance to chemotherapeutics. While the exact mechanisms of chemoresistance are poorly understood, it is known that changes at the cellular and molecular level make chemoresistance challenging to treat. Improved therapeutic options are needed to target these changes at the molecular level. Using a precision medicine approach, such as gene therapy, genes can be specifically exploited to resensitize tumors to therapeutics. This review highlights traditional and novel gene targets that can be used to develop new and improved targeted therapies, from drug efflux proteins to ovarian cancer stem cells. The review also addresses the clinical relevance and landscape of the discussed gene targets.