Chemotherapy remains a prevalent treatment for a wide range of tumors; however, the majority of patients undergoing conventional chemotherapy experience varying levels of chemoresistance, ultimately leading to suboptimal outcomes. The present article provided an in‑depth review of chemotherapy resistance in tumors, emphasizing the underlying factors contributing to this resistance in tumor cells. It also explored recent advancements in the identification of key molecules and molecular mechanisms within the primary chemoresistant pathways.
Keywords: cellular dormancy; chemotherapy resistance; multidrug resistance; tumors.