Modifications of Plasma Membrane Organization in Cancer Cells for Targeted Therapy

Abstract

Modifications of the composition or organization of the cancer cell membrane seem to be a promising targeted therapy. This approach can significantly enhance drug uptake or intensify the response of cancer cells to chemotherapeutics. There are several methods enabling lipid bilayer modifications, e.g., pharmacological, physical, and mechanical. It is crucial to keep in mind the significance of drug resistance phenomenon, ion channel and specific receptor impact, and lipid bilayer organization in planning the cell membrane-targeted treatment. In this review, strategies based on cell membrane modulation or reorganization are presented as an alternative tool for future therapeutic protocols.

Keywords: cancer cells; electroporation; ion channel modulation; membrane receptors modulation; microgravity; multidrug resistance; plasma membrane; sonoporation; targeted therapy.

Figure 1

Mechanisms of P-gp modulations [31,34,48,49,50,51,52,53].

Figure 2

The schematic mechanism of signal transduction via the membrane receptor [141].

Figure 3

The variety of the signal transduction mechanisms via different membrane receptors [142,143,144,145].

Figure 4

Mechanisms involved in sonoporation of the cell membrane after ultrasounds application: (A) cavitation of microbubbles and gas bodies in surrounding medium; (B) shear stress evoked by acoustic streaming and medium flow during cavitation; (C) endocytosis; (D) mechanical stress triggered by the cavitating agents [253].

Figure 5

Modification of cell membrane by micro- and hyper-gravity. Altered gravity is known to affect biomembranes on many levels. First, it influences on the morphology of cell by creating membrane blebbing and affects functioning of lamellipodia and filopodia. Furthermore, unnatural gravity alter membrane fluidity and movements of transmembrane proteins leading to decreased multidrug resistance and disruption of exo- and endo-cytosis. This figure was prepared using Servier Medical Art, available from www.servier.com/Powerpoint-image-bank.