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Overexpression of lung-resistance protein and increased P-glycoprotein function in acute myeloid leukaemia cells predict a poor response to chemotherapy and reduced patient survival.

We investigated the role of the drug resistance-related proteins LRP, MRP and Pgp and the apoptotic suppressor, bcl-2, in relation to other clinical characteristics, with respect to response and survival in 91 patients with newly diagnosed AML, treated with standard chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that poor response to chemotherapy was associated with increasing age (P=0.0004), LRP expression (P=0.0001) and Pgp function (P=0.015). The significant predictors of both leukaemia-free survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) were LRP (LFS, P=0.01; OS, P=0.0001), Pgp function (LFS, P=0.0001; OS, P=0.0003) and cytogenetic abnormalities (LFS, P=0.0001; OS. P=0.0005). Patients with the lowest expression of LRP and Pgp function and favourable karyotype (group I) had an LFS of 30.2 months compared to 8 5 months in the group with the highest expression of LRP and Pgp and poor prognosis karyotype (group III, P=0.002). OS decreased from 75.4 months in group I to 7.9 months in group III patients (P <0.0001). Neither MRP nor bcl-2 were significantly associated with chemotherapy response and survival. Correlations were found between increasing expression of LRP and older age (P=0.05) and an unfavourable karyotype (P=0.005), but these variables were independent of each other in analysis of treatment response and patient survival. Our findings suggest that both LRP and Pgp are clinically relevant drug-resistance proteins and it may be necessary to modulate both LRP and Pgp functions in order to reverse the multidrug resistance phenotype in AML.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

P-glycoprotein, lung resistance-related protein and multidrug resistance associated protein in de novo acute non-lymphocytic leukaemias: biological and clinical implications.

P-glycoprotein (PGP), lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP) expression and the blast cells' intracellular daunorubicin accumulation (IDA) were evaluated in 96 previously untreated cases of de novo acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL). 47/96 patients (49%) were classified as PGP+ 44/ 96 (46%) as LRP+, and 8/96 (8%) as MRP+. The more frequent MDR clusters were PGP-/LRP-/MRP- (32/96 cases, 33%) and the PGP+/LRP+/MRP- (27/96 cases, 28%) followed by PGP+/LRP-/MRP- (15/96 cases, 16%) and PGP-/LRP+/MRP- (14/96 cases, 14%). A favourable karyotype was observed more frequently in PGP- and LRP-cases. A highly significant correlation was found between either PGP or LRP overexpression and leukaemic blast cell IDA. All the patients received standard induction and consolidation treatments containing MDR-related (idarubicin, mitoxantrone, etoposide) and other (arabinosyl cytosine) drugs. Multivariate analysis showed that PGP overexpression was significantly associated with a poor response to treatment, both in terms of primary resistance or shorter survival. Other independent prognostic factors were age and cytogenetics. LRP overexpression did not reach statistical significance, although for LRP+ cases the trend was unfavourable. Due to small numbers, no conclusion could be made regarding MRP overexpression, but 5/8 cases showed unfavourable karyotypic abnormalities, 8/8 had a defective IDA and 6/8 failed to achieve remission. This study showed that both PGP and LRP overexpression are common features in de novo ANLL at onset whereas MRP overexpression is more rare. It suggested that overexpression of one of the MDR related proteins was associated with a defective IDA, and confirmed that, in addition to age and cytogenetics, PGP retains an independent prognostic value. It also suggested that LRP did not affect clinical outcome when patients were treated with idarubicin or mitoxantrone and arabinosyl cytosine.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

High levels of lung resistance related protein mRNA in leukaemic cells from patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia are associated with inferior response to chemotherapy and prior treatment with mitoxantrone.

Expression of the mdr1 (multidrug resistance), mrp (multidrug resistance associated protein), and lrp (lung resistance related protein) genes is associated with transport related MDR (multidrug resistance). We quantified mRNA levels of these genes using competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 128 samples of leukaemic cells from 92 patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). There was a wide variation between the samples in mRNA levels of all three genes. The mean mdr1 mRNA level was 1.3 transcripts per cell (range undetectable to 15.8), the mean mrp level was 7.9 (range 0.1-36.2) and mean lrp 3.9 (range 0.1-29). Lrp mRNA levels were higher in samples drawn at diagnosis from the 15 patients with resistant disease than from the 37 with chemosensitive disease (4.9 SD 3.1 v 2.9 SD 2.3, P = 0.016). Neither mdr1 nor mrp mRNA levels were predictive for response to chemotherapy. In samples from patients who had received chemotherapy, those that had received mitoxantrone (n = 24) had higher lrp mRNA levels (mean 4.8, SD 2.5) than those that had not (n = 20, mean 2.8, SD 2.4, P = 0.012). In conclusion, the results indicate that lrp expression is associated with inferior response to chemotherapy in AML and that lrp expression increases after exposure to mitoxantrone.

Adult↗

P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein, but not lung resistance protein, lower the intracellular daunorubicin accumulation in acute myeloid leukaemic cells.

The in vitro intracellular daunorubicin accumulation (IDA) of blast cells from 69 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was correlated with the expression and functional activity of the multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and lung-resistance protein (LRP). An inverse and significant association was found between IDA and Pgp-related efflux activity (r = -0.31, P = 0.01) and also MRP (r = -0.25, P = 0.04) but not with LRP (r = -0.13, P = 0.28). Coexpression of the MDR proteins had an additive effect in further lowering of IDA levels, suggesting that the clinical MDR phenotype is dependent on the sum of multiple MDR factors available to the leukaemic cell. Thus, the median IDA of leukaemic cells without any MDR proteins was significantly higher than that of blasts carrying two MDR proteins (0.466 vs. 0.296, P = 0.046). Seven patients with no expression of Pgp, MRP and LRP still had low IDA levels, suggesting the presence of efflux MDR mechanisms other than those studied. The relation of IDA to clinical parameters known to be associated with poor prognosis, such as age, secondary AML, karyotype, peripheral blood blast and CD34 counts, was also studied, but no significance was found on multifactorial analysis. There was a non-significant trend for earlier relapse in patients with low IDA levels (leukaemia-free survival of 16.3 months compared with 21.1 months in patients with high IDA levels). Our data suggest that, while the IDA assay is a quick and relatively easy test for the combined efflux MDR phenotype, it is unable to detect other MDR mechanisms, such as LRP, which may be important to the clinical outcome of patients with AML.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

P-glycoprotein (PGP), lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) expression in acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

We analysed the expression of three drug transporter proteins [p-glycoprotein (PGP), lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1)] involved in anthracycline resistance that are frequently overexpressed in poor-risk adult acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL), in 23 acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients at onset managed at a single institution. Cellular daunorubicin accumulation was also evaluated. At onset, no case had PGP or MRP1 expression that exceeded that of non-multidrug-resistant (MDR) cell lines. Only one case showed LRP overexpression. No peculiar MDR features distinguished the seven patients who relapsed from those who maintained complete remission. In the onset vs. first relapse, only one patient showed an increased (threefold) PGP expression at relapse. At second relapse, three out of four patients showed a PGP expression two- to threefold higher than baseline values. These results are consistent with the view that low PGP, LRP and MRP1 expression and the absence of defects in intracellular drug accumulation may account for the peculiarly high sensitivity of APLs to anthracycline. It does not support the screening of MDR markers in APL patients at onset as predicting factors of early relapse. The results suggest that no significant changes in PGP, LRP or MRP1 expression are likely to occur at first relapse. In contrast, PGP expression is likely to increase later in the patient history as a result of additional chemotherapy courses.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Expression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein in myelodysplastic syndromes.

In the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression is clinically associated with drug resistance, whereas the clinical significance of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) is uncertain. Bone marrow from 56 patients with MDS, including six with refractory anaemia (RA)/RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), 23 cases of RA with excess blasts/in transformation (RAEB/T), four patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) and 23 cases of MDS having progressed to acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS-AML), were studied. MRP1 expression was investigated by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and by flow cytometry using MRPm6 monoclonal antibody. The efflux test using calcein-AM (CAM) +/- probenecid to evaluate MRP1 activity was performed in ten of the 56 patients. Twenty-eight of the 56 cases (50%) expressed MRP1. MRP1 expression was more frequent in MDS-AML than in MDS (70% vs. 36%). The efflux test using CAM was positive in three out of the ten patients tested. The results were in agreement with expression of MRP1 in six cases, and were discordant in four cases (1 MRP-/CAM+, 3 MRP+/CAM-). No correlation was observed between MRP1 expression and P-gp, lung resistance-associated protein (LRP) or CD34 expression, although there was a trend for more frequent MRP1 expression in P-gp-positive cases in MDS-AML (P = 0.08). Ten of the 26 patients treated with intensive chemotherapy achieved complete remission including six out of 16 MRP1+ and four out of ten MRP1- cases (P = NS). In conclusion, MRP1 expression was correlated with disease stage in MDS in our study. As for P-gp, discordant expression/function of MRP1 could be found in some cases, suggesting the existence of non-functional transport proteins in MDS. MRP1 expression did not seem to be a prognostic factor in MDS in our experience.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The 16p11 breakpoint in myxoid liposarcomas might affect the expression of the LRP gene on 16p11.2 encoding the multidrug resistance associated major vault protein.

BACKGROUND: Chromosome breakage could influence the expression of genes. This has been noticed in specific cases of acute myeloid leukaemia, where the 16p13 breakpoint affects the expression of the multidrug resistance related protein (MRP). Myxoid liposarcomas (LPS) are characterized by the t(12; 16)(q13; p11), which leads to the formation of a FUS-CHOP fusion transcript. This study investigates the relationship between the cytogenetically detected breakpoint 16p11 in myxoid LPS, the presence of the FUS-CHOP fusion transcript in nonmyxoid LPS and the expression of the lung resistance major vault protein (LRP) gene on 16p11.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 16 cases with a diagnosis of a (possible) liposarcoma with an abnormal karyotype, fresh frozen tumour material was available for immunohistological detection of LRP. Cases without a cytogenetically detected t(12; 16)(q13; p11), were analyzed for the presence of a FUS-CHOP fusion transcript by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In all 9 myxoid LPS a t(12; 16)(q13; p11) was found and LRP expression was absent or low. In none of the remaining 7 cases was a FUS-CHOP fusion transcript found, and four tumours were LRP positive (P = 0. 02). LRP expression in myxoid LPS (mean: 1.3%) was lower (P = 0.07) than in the nonmyxoid tumours (mean: 35.7%). CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate a relation between the t(12; 16)(q13; p11), leading to a FUS-CHOP fusion transcript in myxoid LPS, and the low or absent expression of the LRP-gene located on 16p11.2.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Major vault protein, a marker of drug resistance, is upregulated in refractory epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The molecular basis of drug resistance in epilepsy is being explored. Two proteins associated with drug resistance in cancer, P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1, are upregulated in human epileptogenic pathologies. Other proteins associated with resistance in cancer include major vault protein (MVP) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). We hypothesized that these proteins would also be upregulated in human epileptogenic pathologies. METHODS: Hippocampal sclerosis (HS), focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) were studied by using immunohistochemistry for MVP and BCRP. Nonepileptogenic control and histologically normal brain adjacent to epileptogenic tissue were used for comparison. RESULTS: MVP and BCRP were expressed ubiquitously in brain capillary endothelium. Ectopic upregulation of MVP was seen in hilar neurons in HS, dysplastic neurons in FCD, and lesional neurons in DNT. Only in HS cases were rare extralesional neurons immunoreactive. Glial upregulation was not seen. There was no qualitative upregulation of BCRP. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that more than one resistance protein may be upregulated in a given epileptogenic pathology and may contribute to drug resistance. Determination of the types, amounts, and distribution of such proteins will be necessary for rational treatment for drug resistance in epilepsy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Mem↗

Overexpression of the human major vault protein in gangliogliomas.

PURPOSE: Recent evidence has been obtained that the major vault protein (MVP) may play a role in multidrug resistance (MDR). We investigated the expression and cellular localization of MVP in gangliogliomas (GGs), which are increasingly recognized causes of chronic pharmacoresistant epilepsy. METHODS: Surgical tumor specimens (n = 30), as well as peritumoral and control brain tissues, were examined for the cellular distribution pattern of MVP with immunocytochemistry. Western blot analysis showed a consistent increase in MVP expression in GGs compared with that in control cortex. RESULTS: In normal brain, MVP expression was below detection in glial and neuronal cells, and only low immunoreactivity (IR) levels were detected in blood vessels. MVP expression was observed in the neuronal component of 30 of 30 GGs and in a population of tumor glial cells. In the majority of the tumors, strong MVP IR was found in lesional vessels. Perilesional regions did not show increased staining in vessels or in neuronal and glial cells compared with normal cortex. However, expression of MVP was detected in the hippocampus in cases with dual pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of MVP in GGs is another example of an MDR-related protein that is upregulated in patients with refractory epilepsy. Further research is necessary to investigate whether it could play role in the mechanisms underlying drug resistance in chronic human epilepsy.

Adolescent↗

Expression of multidrug resistance-associated proteins in rhabdomyosarcomas before and after chemotherapy: the relationship between lung resistance-related protein (LRP) and differentiation.

Rhabdomyosarcomas generally respond well to chemotherapy, and the residual lesions often are better differentiated than their primaries. This phenomenon may be explained by selective multidrug resistance (MDR) of differentiated tumor cell populations. We assess the role of MDR proteins in chemotherapy-induced differentiation in rhabdomyosarcomas in a clinical setting. Paraffin-embedded samples of 13 pairs of primary untreated rhabdomyosarcomas and their residual, recurrent, or metastatic lesions after chemotherapy were assessed for expression of MDR proteins, including P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP-1), and lung resistance-related protein (LRP). Expression was semiquantitatively scored based on the percentage of isolated immunoreactive tumor cells as follows: 0, negative; 0.5, <5%; 1, 5% to 25%; 2, 26% to 50%; 3, 51% to 75%, and 4, >75%. All specimens after chemotherapy, except the late recurrences, were better differentiated than their primary, untreated specimens. Pgp or MRP-1 expression did not change significantly, but LRP expression increased significantly after chemotherapy. In both untreated and treated samples, LRP was expressed primarily in differentiated cells. The findings indicate that the in vivo expression of LRP, but not of Pgp and MRP-1, is induced by chemotherapeutic treatment in rhabdomyosarcomas. The preferential expression of LRP in differentiated cells and the subsequent more extensive expression after chemotherapy suggests that LRP plays a role in therapy-induced differentiation.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Isolation and characterization of an IGROV-1 human ovarian cancer cell line made resistant to Ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743).

By exposing Igrov-1 human ovarian cancer cells to increasing concentrations of Ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743), either for a short or prolonged time, we obtained sublines resistant to ET-743 which overexpress Pgp. The most resistant clone (Igrov-1/25 ET) was evaluated for biological and pharmacological characterizations. The increased Pgp levels of Igrov-1/25 ET were not due to amplification of the mdr-1 gene but to increased mRNA levels. No increase in other multidrug resistance-related proteins such as MRP or LRP was observed in Igrov-1/25 ET. The IC50 values of ET-743 against Igrov-1/25 ET was approximately 50 times higher than the parental cell line. Resistance was not reversed while maintaining the cell line in drug-free medium for at least 24 months. Igrov-1/25 ET was cross-resistant to Doxorubicin and VP16 while it was equally sensitive to L-PAM, MNNG, CPT and only marginally less sensitive to Cis-DDP and Oxaliplatin compared to the parental cell line. Igrov-1/25 ET exposed to Doxorubicin retained this drug much less, mainly because of a more efficient drug efflux. The cyclosporine analogue SDZ PSC-833 reversed the resistance of Igrov-1/25 ET to ET-743, without any enhancement of the drug activity against the parental Igrov-1 cell line. Igrov-1/25 ET exhibits typical features of cell lines overexpressing the mdr-1 gene and can be a potentially useful tool in selecting ET-743 non-cross-resistant analogues as well as to investigate methods to counteract resistance to this drug.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Drug resistance features and S-phase fraction as possible determinants for drug response in a panel of human ovarian cancer xenografts.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) and more specifically the expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) have been studied extensively in vitro. Unfortunately, it appears that the predictive value of MDR recognized in vitro is mostly an incorrect measure to determine the responsiveness of a particular tumour in the clinic. This misunderstood or overvalued role of MDR might explain the failure of strategies to reverse Pgp function by the use of modulators in solid tumours. To obtain more insight in in vivo drug resistance we investigated a panel of 15 human ovarian cancer xenografts consisting of the most common histological subtypes known in ovarian cancer patients. The response rate to cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin in the xenografts resembled the results of phase II trials with these agents in ovarian cancer patients. This resemblance justifies drug resistance studies in this experimental in vivo human tumour system. We determined the expression levels of MDR 1, MRP 1, LRP and topoisomerase IIalpha mRNA by the RNase protection assay and the presence of MRP1 and LRP proteins by immunohistochemistry. The S-phase fraction was investigated as a separate parameter by flow cytometry. In none of the 15 ovarian cancer xenografts was MDR 1 expression detectable. The expression levels of MRP 1 and LRP were low to moderate and resembled the presence of the MRP1 and LRP proteins. There was a weak, inverse relationship between the expression levels of LRP and sensitivity to cisplatin and cyclophosphamide (r = -0.44 and -0.45), but not to doxorubicin. The levels of topoisomerase IIalpha varied among the xenografts (0.73-2.66) and failed to correlate with doxorubicin resistance (r = 0.14). The S-phase fraction, however, showed a relation with the sensitivity to cisplatin (r = 0.66). Among the determinants studied in ovarian cancer in vivo, LRP mRNA and the S-phase fraction were the best predictive factors for drug response and most specifically for the activity of cisplatin.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The major vault protein (MVP100) is contained in cholinergic nerve terminals of electric ray electric organ.

A protein of Mr 100,000 (MVP100) is highly enriched in the electromotor system of electric rays. Biochemical analysis indicates that MVP100 is contained in the cholinergic nerve terminals of Torpedo electric organ as part of a large cytosolic complex. On sucrose density gradient centrifugation MVP100 comigrates with synaptic vesicles or synaptosomes. It can be partially separated from synaptic vesicles by gel filtration or glycerol velocity gradient centrifugation. Within the complex MVP100 behaves like a hydrophobic protein and is protected against proteolytic attack. MVP100 can be immunodetected by an antibody against phosphotyrosine, and it becomes phosphorylated on incubation with [gamma-32P]ATP. By screening an electric ray electric lobe cDNA library the primary structure of MVP100 was analyzed. MVP100 is highly homologous to the major vault proteins of slime mold and rat and to the human lung resistance-related protein. Compared with non-neural tissues the expression of MVP100 is highest in brain and enriched in the electric lobe that contains the somata of the electromotor neurons. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis reveals a close association of MVP100 and synaptic vesicles in the nerve terminals of the electric organ.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Messenger RNA analysis of the multidrug resistance related protein (MRP1) and the lung resistance protein (LRP) in de novo and relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In this study, 86 children (58 initial ALL and 28 children with relapsed disease) were investigated for lung resistance protein (LRP) and multidrug resistance related protein (MRPI)-mRNA expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The majority of investigated cases demonstrated variable LRP and MRP1 mRNA expression, when normalized for beta-microglobulin expression. LRP and MRPI mRNA expression may be coordinately regulated, as expression of both transcripts was found to be significantly correlated (p = 0.0001). No differences of LRP and MRP expression were observed between initial and relapsed stage patients (LRP: p = 0.89 and for MRP: p = 0.09). The prognostic value of both resistance mechanisms was subjected to Kaplan-Meier analysis for event-free survival. For this analysis the patients were divided into groups with high or low LRP or MRPI mRNA expression by utilizing the median value as the cut-off point. Overexpression of both resistance mechanisms had no prognostic significance in our retrospective study (log-rank test for LRP: p = 0.12 and for MRPI: p = 0.95), however, patients who showed high LRP expression exhibited a lower tendency of remaining in continuous first remission.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The prognostic significance of P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-related protein 1 and lung resistance protein in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a retrospective study of 295 newly diagnosed patients by the Children's Oncology Group.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a phenomenon by which cells become resistant to an array of structurally unrelated chemotherapeutic agents. The prognostic value that P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-related protein 1 (MRP1), and lung resistance protein (LRP) have in the setting of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is controversial. In a retrospective study, we analyzed samples obtained from 295 similarly treated pediatric ALL patients to assess whether the overexpression and/or function of these proteins at diagnosis affects outcome. Most patients (70%, 207/295) did not overexpress an MDR protein. A small number of patients expressed functional Pgp (1%, 3/295) and some overexpressed functional MRP1 (10%, 19/295), with a statistically significant number of the latter being of T-lineage as opposed to pre-B (P < 0.001). A small number of patients (2%, 6/295) also overexpressed both Pgp and MRP1. Additional patients expressed increased levels of LRP. Elevated levels of these proteins at diagnosis did not correlate with risk factors and did not predict an adverse prognosis. Life-table estimates and Kaplan-Meier plots did not show any significant differences between patients who overexpressed an MDR protein compared with those who did not, nor was any difference noted when the different MDR + groups were compared with one another. These data strongly support the conclusion that the overexpression of these functional drug efflux pumps at diagnosis does not contribute to treatment failure in pediatric ALL.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Drug resistance-associated marker Lrp for prediction of response to chemotherapy and prognoses in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Drug resistance is a major impediment to the successful treatment of ovarian carcinoma. None of the earlier-identified resistance mechanisms, such as overexpression of the MDR1 gene product, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), has been shown to be a major determinant of clinical response to chemotherapy and survival for ovarian cancer patients. The multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp) and the lung resistance protein (Lrp, also called the p110 major vault protein), are newly described proteins associated with multidrug resistance in vitro. PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the expression of Mrp and Lrp, in addition to Pgp, in advanced ovarian carcinoma and to determine whether such expression was predictive of response to chemotherapy and survival. METHODS: Fifty-seven banked frozen specimens, previously collected and frozen at the time of diagnosis from an equal number of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III or IV ovarian carcinoma, were immunostained for Pgp (with monoclonal antibodies [MAbs] MRK-16 and JSB-1), Mrp (with MAb MRPrl), and Lrp (with MAb LRP-56). All patients had received platinum- or alkylating-based chemotherapy after debulking surgery. Clinicopathologic parameters determined at diagnosis were retrospectively assessed for their relationship with Pgp, Mrp, and Lrp expression. Response to treatment and survival were compared between Pgp, Mrp, and Lrp expression groups. Qualitative variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test or the chi-squared test. All reported P values are two-tailed. RESULTS: Nine (16%), 39 (68%), and 44 (77%) of the 57 tumor specimens examined showed positive immunostaining for Pgp, Mrp, and Lrp, respectively. Positive immunostaining for these proteins was not associated with any other prognostic factor examined. No association was found between Pgp and Mrp expression and response to chemotherapy and survival. In contrast, patients with Lrp-positive tumors had poorer response to chemotherapy (P = .004) and shorter progression-free (P = .003) and overall (P = .007) survival than Lrp-negative patients. Multivariate analysis of Lrp expression, FIGO stage, residual tumor after initial surgery, tumor grade, and presence or absence of ascites showed that only Lrp status was independently related to both progression-free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Positive Lrp immunostaining in advanced ovarian carcinoma appears to be an indicator of poor response to standard chemotherapy (platinum or alkylating agents) and of adverse prognoses. IMPLICATIONS: The functional characterization of Lrp and related proteins may reveal new approaches to modulate Lrp-associated drug resistance. A large prospective study is warranted to confirm the prognostic value of Lrp.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and expression of the multidrug resistance-associated genes LRP and MRP.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cancer cells that express P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), or lung resistance protein (LRP) have demonstrated resistance to a wide variety of chemotherapeutic drugs. Recently, we reported that human colon carcinoma cells that express all three proteins exhibit reduced P-glycoprotein gene expression and a loss of multidrug resistance after exposure to tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a hormone-like protein produced by cells of the immune system. In this study, we examined the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on MRP and LRP gene expression in the same colon carcinoma cells. METHODS: HCT15 and HCT116 colon carcinoma cells were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha at 100 U/mL for 2, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours; alternatively, cells transfected with an expression vector containing a human tumor necrosis factor-alpha complementary DNA were studied. The effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on MRP and LRP messenger RNA expression were evaluated by means of reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction; effects on MRP and LRP protein expression were examined by use of specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. The flow cytometry data were analyzed by use of the two-sided, nonparametric Mann-Whitney rank sum test. RESULTS: Treatment with exogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha reduced the level of LRP messenger RNA in both cell types in an apparently time-dependent fashion; in HCT15 cells, almost no LRP messenger RNA was detected after 48 hours of treatment. In contrast, the level of MRP messenger RNA was increased in HCT116 cells by such treatment, but the level in HCT15 cells was unchanged. Treatment with exogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced changes in LRP and MRP protein expression in the two cell types that paralleled the changes found for messenger RNA. In transfected cells, the endogenous production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha reduced LRP gene expression (both messenger RNA and protein) and increased MRP gene expression (both messenger RNA and protein), regardless of cell type. CONCLUSION: In human colon carcinoma cells, tumor necrosis factor-alpha influences MRP and LRP gene expression in opposite ways. The findings for LRP gene expression parallel our earlier findings for P-glycoprotein expression in these cells. IMPLICATION: In developing strategies for overcoming multidrug resistance in tumor cells, the possibility that an agent can suppress one or more mechanisms of drug resistance and enhance others should be considered.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗