Effect of Signaling Molecule (IMAGE) University of Akron Caption Cell growth is a highly regulated process in healthy tissues; however, this process is deregulated in cancer cells, enabling them to continually grow to form tumors. This growth is driven by signaling through several signaling pathways. Identifying these pathways presents attractive new targets for treatment with specific molecular inhibitors that are far less toxic to patients than conventional chemotherapy drugs. However, studies have shown that cancer cells can develop resistance to the inhibitor drugs by activating an alternative signaling pathway to facilitate their growth. This feedback signaling renders patients non-responsive to the cancer drug. Recent efforts to block the activity of two pathways by the simultaneous use of two inhibitors were somewhat successful against tumors, but they generated excessive toxicity to patients and, as a result, clinical trials had to stop. Credit Dr. Hossein Tavana Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.