[Reversal of nomegestrol acetate on multidrug resistance in drug-resistant human breast cancer cell line MCF7/ADR].
OBJECTIVE
To study the reversal effect of nomegestrol acetate (NOM) on mutidrug resistance (MDR) in MCF7/ADR and its mechanism.


METHODS
Using tetrazolium dye assay, effects of various concentrations of NOM on sensitivity to ADR in MCF7/ADR was studied. Expression of MDR related genes MDR1, glutathoine S-transferase Pi (GSTpi), Topoisomerase II alpha (Topo II alpha) and MDR related protein (MRP) were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry assay. Using flow cytometry (FCM), intracellular ADR concentration effects on cell cycle were observed.


RESULTS
NOM significantly reversed MDR in MCF7/ADR. After NOM 20, 10 and 5 micromol/L treatment, the chemosensitivity to ADR increased to 21, 12 and 8 times. The reversal activity of NOM was stronger than that of the precursor compound megestrol acetate, and was comparable to that of verapamail. After treatment with NOM 5 micromol/L both MDR1 and GSTpi mRNA genes expression began to decline on D2 (P < 0.05, & P < 0.01) and reached the lowest level on D3 (both P < 0.01), but the expression levels began to rise on D6 again (both P < 0.05). The expression of MRP and Topo II alpha gave no significant change. Changes of P-gp and GSTpi protein expressions were similar to those of their mRNA expressions, showing early decline and late rise. Two hours after NOM 20, 10, and 5 micromol/L treatment, intracellular ADR concentration increased 2.7, 2.3 and 1.5 times, respectively. FCM data showed that after forty-eight hours, combined administration of NOM (20 micromol/L) and ADR (from low concentration to high concentration), MCF7/ADR cells showed gradual arrest in the G(2)M phase with the increase of ADR dose.


CONCLUSIONS
NOM has strong reversal effects on MDR in MCF7/ADR. The reversal takes place via different routes, i.e. down regulating mRNA and protein expression levels of MDR1 and GSTpi, increasing intracellular drug concentration, and enhancing the arrest of ADR in cells at G(2)M phase.
Li
Jie
J
Department of Oncology, Xin Hua Hospital Cancer Center, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Xu
Liangzhong
L
He
Kailing
K
Guo
Weijian
W
Zhu
Xiongzeng
X
Zheng
Yunhong
Y
Xia
Peng
P
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008535:Megestrol; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009649:Norpregnadienes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008535:Megestrol; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins; D009649:Norpregnadienes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014700:Verapamil; C038501:nomegestrol acetate; C496556:GSTP1 protein, human