Expression and Significance of ATP-Binding Cassette Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中国肿瘤临床

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the expression of ATP-Binding Cassette Proteins including P-gp (P-glycoprotein), MRP1 (multidrug resistance associated protein 1) and BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein) in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with pathological features. Methods: The expression of P-gp/MDR1 (multidrug resistance gene 1), MRP1 and BCRP in hepatocellular carcinoma was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in 34 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and 19 cases of paraneoplastic hepatic tissues. Results: The expression of MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) was 1.15±0.24, 0.64±0.33, and 1.07±0.32 in hepatocellular carcinoma and 0.36±0.14, 0.19±0.06, and 0.31±0.09 in paraneoplastic hepatic tissues. The expression of MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP mRNA was 1.38±0.26, 0.73±0.35, and 1.34±0.21 in poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and 0.74±0.32, 0.30±0.11, and 0.45±0.13 in well differentiated hepatic tissues. The immunohistochemical positive substance was detected in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The positive rates of P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP were 82.35%, 58.82%, and 79.41% in hepatocellular carcinoma and 42.11%, 26.32%, and 36.84% in paraneoplastic hepatic tissues, respectively. The positive rates of P-gp, MRP1 and BCRP were 100.00%, 81.25%, and 100.00% in poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and 66.67%, 38.89%, and 61.11% in well differentiated hepatic tissues. The expression of three indicies in hepatocellular carcinoma was higher than that in paraneoplastic hepatic tissues (P<0.05). The expression of P-gp/MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP in poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma was higher than that in well differentiated hepatic tissues (P<0.05). No correlation was found among the three indices. Conclusion: Intrinsic multidrug resistance exsists in hepatocellular carcinoma, with various mechanisms. The multidrug resistance of HCC (hepatic cell carcinoma) is related to P-gp/MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP. MRP1 and BCRP may be targets for reversing multidrug resistance.