Immunohistochemical identification of P-glycoprotein in previously untreated, diffuse large cell and immunoblastic lymphomas.
Expression of P-glycoprotein has been linked to multidrug resistance in cancer cell lines and human tumors. We investigated the frequency and clinical significance of P-glycoprotein immunoreactivity in 57 previously untreated diffuse large cell and immunoblastic lymphomas. Banked frozen tissue, which had been obtained prior to chemotherapy, was tested for reactivity with 2 monoclonal antibodies (MRK16 and C219) that recognize different domains of P-glycoprotein, using an immunoperoxidase technique. Thirteen of 57 lymphomas (23%) showed strong staining of greater than 50% of neoplastic cells; 15 of 57 (26%) showed labeling of a minority (11-50%) of neoplastic lymphocytes; 14 of 57 (25%) yielded equivocal results (reactivity in less than 10% of cells); and 15 of 57 (26%) were negative for P-glycoprotein. The 2 monoclonal antibodies were comparable in reactivity. Expression of MDR-1 mRNA was determined in 6 cases with sufficient available tissue, and did not correlate well with the percentages of cells reactive for P-glycoprotein by immunohistochemistry. Thirty-nine of our 57 patients completed multiagent chemotherapy. Contrary to our expectations, we found that P-glycoprotein immunoreactivity did not decrease the likelihood of response to induction chemotherapy. Median survival also was not adversely affected.
Niehans
G A
GA
Laboratory Service, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minnesota 55417.
Jaszcz
W
W
Brunetto
V
V
Perri
R T
RT
Gajl-Peczalska
K
K
Wick
M R
MR
Tsuruo
T
T
Bloomfield
C D
CD
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D016400:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Immunoblastic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger