P-glycoprotein expression is a marker for chemotherapy resistance and prognosis in advanced ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
It was our aim to study the prevalence and possible prognostic and predictive significance of the expression of P-glycoprotein, a transmembrane transport protein related to classical multidrug resistance, in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Tumor tissue from 73 previously untreated patients with FIGO stage 3 ovarian cancer was examined with immunohistochemistry for the expression of P-glycoprotein before and after chemotherapy. Response to 4 cycles of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and epirubicin was assessed with second look laparotomy. The log rank test was used for univariate survival and the Cox proportional hazards regression model for multivariate survival analysis.


RESULTS
P-glycoprotein expression was detected in 47% of untreated cases, and correlated with unfavourable prognostic factors such as advanced age, presence of ascites and larger residual disease deposits after primary surgery. P-glycoprotein negative cases responded significantly better to chemotherapy (P < .001). In the multivariate survival analysis P-glycoprotein expression was an independent predictor of both overall (P = .045) and progression free (P = .006) survival. When P-glycoprotein expression and residual disease status were considered together, the patients could be divided in three clearly distinct prognostic groups (P = .0009).


CONCLUSIONS
P-glycoprotein expression is a predictor of response and survival in a uniformly treated and followed cohort of advanced ovarian cancer patients.
Baekelandt
M M
MM
Department of Gynecological Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Oslo, Norway.
Holm
R
R
Nesland
J M
JM
Tropé
C G
CG
Kristensen
G B
GB
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000032:analysis*; D000367:Age Factors; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin