What Challenges Exist in Targeting Signaling Networks?
Despite the potential, targeting signaling networks in cancer therapy faces several challenges:
- Drug resistance can develop as cancer cells adapt to targeted therapies, often through secondary mutations or activation of alternative pathways. - Tumor heterogeneity means that different cells within the same tumor may rely on distinct signaling pathways, complicating treatment strategies. - Toxicity and side effects can arise because signaling pathways often play essential roles in normal cellular functions, leading to adverse effects in healthy tissues.
