Objective:

To update the knowledge about the ABC transporters superfamily linked to drug resistance.

Materials and methods:

A qualitative study where the method was applied, using a bibliographical and documentary review on the subject of digital data sources was conducted. ABC transporters, ABC superfamily, and drug resistance, binding- ATP cassette: the DECS-MeSH descriptors were using published articles on the subject through the usual search engines (Google, PubMed, Cochrane, Future Medicine, Scielo, among others), counting on the quality and timeliness of them were review.

Results:

The clinical significance of these transporters is stress as they relate to atherosclerosis, liver disease, Alzheimer's disease, among other conditions. This makes them attractive targets for new drug design; but at the same time, they can expel the cell making it resistant as antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral.

Conclusions:

ABC transporters have central role in the adverse effects of different substances, including drugs, have on the cell. In addition, the genetic polymorphism in this superfamily is associated with pharmacokinetic changes that can trigger drug resistance; the impact of these changes is the focus of recent research that place them as a possible therapeutic target.