Effect of MDR1 phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in multidrug-resistant human tumor cell lines and

Cheppail Ramachandran1, Larry L Wellham

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Research Institute, Miami, Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA. cheppail.ramachandran@mch.com

Anticancer Research
|August 5, 2003
PubMed

Insights

MDR1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODNs) effectively resensitize multidrug-resistant cancer cells to chemotherapy. This approach enhances doxorubicin efficacy by suppressing MDR1 gene expression and P-glycoprotein levels, improving tumor treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer, particularly in colon and breast carcinoma, is often mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression.
  • P-gp efflux pumps reduce intracellular accumulation of chemotherapeutic agents like doxorubicin, leading to treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of MDR1 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODNs) in overcoming MDR in human colon and breast cancer cells.
  • To evaluate the impact of MDR1 antisense S-ODNs on doxorubicin (DOX) cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo chemotherapy efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two MDR1 antisense S-ODNs (S-ODN I and S-ODN II) targeting the MDR1 gene.
  • Assessed DOX cytotoxicity and MDR1 mRNA/P-gp levels in resistant cell lines (SW620 Ad300, MCF-7 variants) in vitro.
  • Evaluated the combination therapy of S-ODNs and DOX in human tumor xenografts in nude mice.

Main Results:

  • MDR1 antisense S-ODN I significantly reduced DOX IC50 values by 9-fold in colon cancer cells and 7-10 fold in breast cancer cells.
  • Treatment with S-ODN I led to a substantial decrease in MDR1 mRNA levels and a partial reduction in P-gp levels.
  • Combined S-ODN and DOX treatment effectively controlled tumor growth in vivo xenograft models.

Conclusions:

  • MDR1 antisense S-ODNs show promise in reversing multidrug resistance by suppressing MDR1 gene expression.
  • This strategy can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, offering a potential new avenue for treating resistant cancers.
  • Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide therapy represents a viable approach to improve chemotherapeutic outcomes in resistant malignancies.