Drug resistance molecules: lessons from oncology

Novartis Found Symp. 2002:243:19-31; discussion 31-7, 180-5.

Abstract

Tumour cell insensitivity to anticancer drugs frequently appears as multidrug resistance (MDR), associated with overexpression of one or more of a set of at least 10 different molecules, causing reduced drug levels at the intracellular target sites. They include transmembrane transporter proteins such as P glycoprotein, MRP1-9 and BCRP. In addition, the lung-resistance protein, recently identified as the major vault protein, has been associated with MDR. We have generated monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize most of these proteins, which we are using to try to identify their roles in clinical drug resistance, and also to explore their occurrence in normal human tissues and physiology. Both types of studies will also provide further insights into the molecular features of drugs associated with distinct MDR transporters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / physiology
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / immunology
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / physiology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Biological Transport, Active
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / physiology*
  • Genes, MDR
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / physiology
  • Multigene Family
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • ABCG2 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins