Cross-resistance of platinum derivatives in H-1R, a cisplatin-resistant cell line

We previously established H-1R cells, a cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant cell line, from H-1 cells, a CDDP-sensitive oral carcinoma cell line. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular mechanism of cross-resistance to antitumor drugs containing a platinum agent in H-1R cells. The 3-(3,4-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and clonogenecity assay indicated that H-1R cells showed strong cross-resistance to carboplatin, nedaplatin and oxaliplatin. The expression status of the copper transporter and organic cation transporters was confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The transporters ATP7A, ATP7B, hCtr1, hOCT1 and hOCT2 were up-regulated, whereas hOCT3 was down-regulated. The cellular glutathione level was elevated 2-fold in H-1R cells compared with H-1 cells. Our results suggested that H-1 and H-1R cells may be useful in searching for candidate genes responsible for cross-resistance to platinum derivatives and for further studies to understand the mechanism of platinum resistance.