Multidrug resistance related genes and p53 expression in human non small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Many genes (mdr1, mrp, DNA topoisomerases II) are known to be involved in the resistance to unrelated drugs (the MDR phenomenon), but the mechanisms of their activation have to be further investigated.


METHODS
Because several authors showed that p53 mutated gene was able to induce mdr1 overexpression, we evaluated in 51 non small cell lung cancer samples, already tested for p53 mutations, the expression of mdr1, mrp, DNA topoisomerase II alpha and beta mRNAs by qualitative RT-PCR assays.


RESULTS
Mutations of p53 were found in 56% of cases. Mdr1 expression was detected in 27%, mrp in 100%, topoisomerase alpha in 82% and beta in 94% of the samples.


CONCLUSIONS
It was not possible to detect any relationship between the expression of the MDR-related genes and tumor histological type, stage or lymph node involvement. Nevertheless, a close association between p53 alterations and either mdr1 gene (p = 0.001) or DNA topoisomerase II alpha (p = 0.003) expression was found.
Galimberti
S
S
Oncology Department, University of Pisa, Italy.
Marchetti
A
A
Buttitta
F
F
Carnicelli
V
V
Pellegrini
S
S
Bevilacqua
G
G
Petrini
M
M
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II