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Effects of carvedilol on MDR1-mediated multidrug resistance: comparison with verapamil

Mikio Kakumoto1, Toshiyuki Sakaeda, Kohji Takara

  • 1Department of Hospital Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017.

Cancer Science
|April 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Carvedilol reverses multidrug resistance (MDR) by inhibiting the MDR1 transporter, unlike other beta-blockers. This suggests carvedilol

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) limits chemotherapy efficacy.
  • MDR1 P-glycoprotein is a key efflux pump in MDR.
  • Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are commonly used drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the MDR-reversing effects of carvedilol and other beta-blockers.
  • To determine if carvedilol inhibits MDR1-mediated drug transport.
  • To explore the potential of carvedilol as an MDR modulator.

Main Methods:

  • Cell culture: HeLa, MDR1-overexpressing Hvr100-6, and LLC-GA5-COL150 cells.
  • Cytotoxicity assays with vinblastine, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and daunorubicin.
  • Transport assays using radiolabeled drugs to assess transcellular transport and intracellular accumulation.

Main Results:

  • Carvedilol reversed MDR 1.4- to 7.1-fold at 1 microM in Hvr100-6 cells.
  • Other beta-blockers showed weaker or no MDR-reversing effects.
  • Carvedilol inhibited MDR1-mediated transport of multiple chemotherapy drugs, similar to verapamil.
  • Carvedilol's effect was independent of beta-adrenoceptors, possibly due to antioxidant activity.

Conclusions:

  • Carvedilol effectively reverses MDR by inhibiting the MDR1 transporter.
  • Carvedilol shows potential as a clinical modulator of MDR.
  • The MDR-modulating effects of carvedilol are likely due to mechanisms beyond beta-adrenoceptor antagonism, such as antioxidant properties.

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