[Expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein gene in non-small cell lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) gene and occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Thirty-two NSCLC samples were detected expression of MRP gene and chemosensitivity to 9 antitumor agents by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry method and in vitro chemosensitivity assay.


RESULTS
The positive expression rate of MRP mRNA in NSCLC was 72%, in lung tissue near carcinoma was 10%; the positive expression rate of MRP in NSCLC was 66%, positive staining of MRP located in membrane and cytoplasm of tumor cells, but no positive staining in lung tissue; MRP mRNA and MRP expression of moderate to high differentiation carcinoma was significantly higher than that of low differentiation carcinoma (P < 0.05). There was significant correlation between expression of MRP mRNA and MRP in NSCLC. The expression of MRP in NSCLC, which was resistant to vincristine, etoposide and adriamycin, was higher than that being sensitive to these drugs (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MRP gene may play an important role of intrinsic drug resistance in NSCLC, overexpression of MRP gene can be achieved through modulation at transcriptional and/or translation level. Overexpression of MRP is a major cause of resistance to vincristine, etoposide and adriamycin.
Xu
M
M
Department of Oncology, Nan Fang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515.
Li
J
J
Xia
Q
Q
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins; D012313:RNA; D012333:RNA, Messenger