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[Adaptation of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for clinical diagnosis of expression of MDR1 gene]
Abstract:
Chemotherapy of malignant tumors is ineffective usually because of tumor cell resistance to it. Two types of resistance are known: cell resistance to a certain drug and multiple drug resistance (MDR). MDR covers a wide spectrum of drugs with different chemical structure and mechanisms of action. The most frequent cause of MDR is hyperexpression in the plasma membrane of P glycoprotein cells, which is coded for by MDR1 gene realizing active release of many cytotoxic substances from cells (Pgp-MDR). Acquisition of MDR phenotype by patient's cells impedes therapy and is often a poor prognostic sign, and therefore testing of material from cancer patients for MDR phenotype is important for selecting tumor therapy. We adapted the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluating the MDR1 gene expression in peripheral blood cells of patients with hemoblastosis, assessed its sensitivity and specificity, and carried out clinical trials with blood samples from patients with MDR. Comparison of the results of RT-PCR with the findings of other methods used for detection of Pg-MDR showed their good correlation in the majority of cases. These results recommend these method for clinical practice in patients with hemoblastosis.
Insights
This study adapted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect multidrug resistance (MDR) gene expression in hemoblastosis patients. The RT-PCR method shows high sensitivity and specificity, correlating well with other tests for predicting treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Context:
- Malignant tumor chemotherapy is often ineffective due to drug resistance.
- Multiple drug resistance (MDR) involves resistance to various chemotherapy agents.
- P-glycoprotein (Pgp) mediated by the MDR1 gene is a common cause of MDR.
Purpose:
- To adapt and validate the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for evaluating MDR1 gene expression.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the adapted RT-PCR method.
- To conduct clinical trials using RT-PCR for MDR detection in hemoblastosis patients.
Summary:
- Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was adapted to quantify MDR1 gene expression in peripheral blood cells of hemoblastosis patients.
- The study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of this RT-PCR method for detecting P-glycoprotein mediated multidrug resistance (Pgp-MDR).
- Clinical trials demonstrated good correlation between RT-PCR results and other established methods for Pgp-MDR detection.
Impact:
- This validated RT-PCR method can aid in selecting appropriate tumor therapy for cancer patients.
- Early detection of MDR phenotype through RT-PCR can improve treatment selection and patient prognosis.
- The findings support the clinical utility of RT-PCR for managing hemoblastosis and potentially other cancers exhibiting MDR.
