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 ofhepatocellular carcinoma and 19cases of paraneoplastic hepatic tissues. Results: The expression of MDR 1, MRP 1 and BCRP mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) was 1.15± 0.24, 0.64± 0.33, and 1.07± 0.32in hepatocellular carcinoma and 0.36± 0.14, 0.19± 0.06, and 0.31± 0.09in paraneoplastic hepatic tissues. The expression of MDR 1, MRP 1 and BCRP mRNA was 1.38± 0.26, 0.73± 0.35, and 1.34± 0.21in poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and 0.74± 0.32, 0.30± 0.11, and 0.45± 0.13in well differentiated hepatic tissues. The immunohistochemical positive substance was detected in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The positive rates of P-gp, MRP 1 and BCRP were 82.35% , 58.82% , and 79.41% in hepatocellular carcinoma and 42.11% ,26.32% , and36.84% in paraneoplastic hepatic tissues, respectively. The positive rates of P-gp, MRP 1 and BCRP were 100 .00% ,81.25% , and100 .00% in poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and 66.67%,38.89%, and61.11% 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/MDR 1, MRP 1 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/MDR 1,MRP1 and BCRP. MRP1 and BCRP may be targets for reversing multidrug resistance.