Role of P-glycoprotein in chemoresistant superficial bladder tumours.
OBJECTIVE
The drug resistance at cellular level is mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-G), which is variably expressed in bladder tumours. The effect of intravesical chemotherapy on P-G status was studied in chemoresistant and recurrent superficial tumours which progressed to metastasis or needed further treatment.


METHODS
Archival histological materials of 14 patients who received intravesical epirubicin for recurrent superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were studied for the presence of P-G using monoclonal antibody JSB-1.


RESULTS
Four patients showed complete absence of P-G following chemotherapy although only 2 patients were recurrence-free. In 4 patients with extravesical metastasis, there was no evidence of increased P-G expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The P-glycoprotein expression is not related to histological grading or clinical progression of bladder tumours.
Nargund
V H
VH
Department of Pathology, Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK.
Lowe
J
J
Flannigan
G M
GM
Hamilton Stewart
P A
PA
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015251:Epirubicin