P-glycoprotein-based drug-drug interactions: preclinical methods and relevance to clinical observations

Multiple drug administration is common in elderly, HIV, and cancer patients. Such treatments may result in drug-drug interactions due to interference at the metabolic enzyme level, and due to modulation of transporter protein functions. Both kinds of interference may result in altered drug distribution and toxicity in the human body. In this review, we have dealt with drug-drug interactions related to the most studied human transporter, P-glycoprotein. This transporter is constitutively expressed in several sites in the human body. Its function can be studied in vitro with different cell lines expressing P-glycoprotein in experiments using methods and equipment such as flow cytometry, cell proliferation, cell-free ATP as activity determination and Transwell culture equipment. In vivo experiments can be carried out by mdr1a(-/-) animals and by noninvasive methods such as NMR spectrometry. Some examples are also given for determination of possible drug-drug interactions using the above-mentioned cell lines and methods. Such preclinical studies may influence decisions concerning the fate of new drug candidates and their possible dosages. Some examples of toxicities obtained in clinics and summarized in this review indicate careful consideration in cases of polypharmacy and the requirement of preclinical studies in drug development activities.