The role of proton dynamics in the development and maintenance of multidrug resistance in cancer

► By definition metastatic cancers do not respond to drug treatments. ► Lack of drugs response is associated with over expression of membrane pumps involved in the efflux of drug. ► pH efflux is also central to cancer metabolism and metastasis and a connection may exist between drug/pH efflux. ► It is membrane biophysical structure that allows the interaction between metabolism and drug resistance in cancer. ► The modulation of metastasis requires new therapeutic strategies targeting the membrane of cancer cells.