title: Multidrug resistance in the chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.
abstract: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a phenomenon in malignancy whereby tumor cells generate mechanisms to resist cytotoxic treatments. Several such mechanisms have been identified. However, to date the most significant research on MDR has involved the adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP). These proteins have natural functions involving substrate transport in normal cells but are detrimental to treatment when expressed in the membrane of tumor cells. It remains unclear whether ABC mediated MDR functions primarily through protein up-regulation or via a relevant signaling mechanism, or is simply due to selective pressure on an already resistant tumor cell subpopulation. Here we present an overview of MDR in the chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPDs), in particular that attributed to the ABC transporter protein family.
authors.affiliation: Haemato-Oncology Laboratory, Belfast HSC Trust, Belfast City Hospital, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Drain
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Catherwood
authors.forename: H Denis
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D018435:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
chemical_list: D018435:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins; C513055:ABCB1 protein, human