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Updated: Oct 15, 2026

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
08:46

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

Multidrug resistance increment in a human colon carcinoma cell line by colchicine

M J Ruiz Gómez1, L Gil, A Souviron

  • 1Departamento de Radiología y Medicina Física, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.

Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
|July 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells can be induced by exposing them to cytotoxic agents like colchicine. This study shows that P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) overexpression in colon cancer cells leads to MDR, which can be partially reversed by verapamil.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy.
  • The P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) efflux pump is a key mechanism driving MDR.
  • In vitro models are crucial for studying MDR mechanisms and developing reversal strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish an in vitro model of drug resistance selection using a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line.
  • To investigate the role of P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) in colchicine-induced multidrug resistance.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of verapamil in reversing multidrug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Selection of a colchicine-resistant subline (HCA-2/1cch) from human colon adenocarcinoma cells.
  • Assay of P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) levels using flow cytometry.
  • Assessment of drug resistance and verapamil-induced sensitization rates.

Main Results:

  • The HCA-2/1cch subline exhibited cross-resistance to colchicine, vinblastine, vincristine, and mitomycin C.
  • Significant increases in P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) expression were observed in resistant cells compared to the parental line.
  • Verapamil partially reversed multidrug resistance, with varying sensitization rates for different drugs.

Conclusions:

  • A 10-week exposure to colchicine (0.5 microg/ml) effectively induced multidrug resistance in vitro.
  • Elevated P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) expression is a likely contributor to the observed drug resistance.
  • Partial reversal of MDR by verapamil suggests its potential in overcoming drug resistance in colon cancer.

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