Adhesion-dependent multicellular drug resistance

Herein we review studies demonstrating resistance manifested at the multice llular level, a phenomenon referred to as intrinsic or acquired multicellul ar resistance (MR). In addition, due to the fact that such resistance can b e recapitulated in vitro only when cells are adhered to one another in a th ree-dimensional culture context, we examine the roles of cell adhesion mole cules and how they may contribute directly or indirectly to MR. Finally, we suggest an experimental approach to circumvent MR in the treatment of adva nced, aggressive ascites tumors.