Rho/PAK signaling: a key driver of anthracycline and taxane resistance in breast cancer.
Resistance to anthracyclines and taxanes remains a major barrier to effective breast cancer treatment, particularly in aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative breast cancer. Although these agents form the backbone of systemic chemotherapy, variability in response limits long-term survival benefits and underscores the urgent need for predictive biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence implicates Rho family small GTPases and their downstream effectors, p21-activated kinases (PAKs), as central regulators of cytoskeletal remodeling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and survival signaling. Aberrant activation of the Rho/PAK axis enhances tumor cell adaptability through cross-talk with PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and NF-κB pathways, promoting DNA repair, apoptosis evasion, and multidrug efflux via P-glycoprotein. These mechanisms converge to reduce chemosensitivity, drive recurrence, and worsen patient outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence linking Rho/PAK signaling with chemotherapy resistance, discusses its potential as a predictive biomarker for patient stratification, and explores therapeutic opportunities to restore chemosensitivity. Integrating molecular insights into clinical strategies may enable more effective, personalized treatment approaches in breast cancer.
Authors
Fizal Fizal, Hasnizan Hasnizan, Chong Chong, Chuan Chuan, Ahmed Ahmed, Mokhtar Mokhtar
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