Pleiotropic, multidrug-resistant phenotype and P-glycoprotein: a review

This article is a brief review of recent knowledge about the pleiotropic resistant phenotype--multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype--which is responsible for cross-resistance in cancer chemotherapy. Thus it is possible to explain chemoresistance to vinca alkaloids, podophyllotoxins and anthracyclines. The MDR phenotype is associated with reduced intracellular drug accumulation by drug efflux, utilizing transmembrane P-glycoprotein (Gp170). The overexpression of Gp170 in normal and cancer tissues and the genetics are reported.