Lapatinib antagonizes multidrug resistance-associated protein 1-mediated multidrug resistance by inhibiting its
Shao-lin Ma1, Ya-peng Hu1, Fang Wang1
1Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Lapatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used in the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer overexpressing human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2). Lapatinib can modulate the function of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (ABCB1 and ABCG2), which are the major mechanism responsible for multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of lapatinib on multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1 [ABCC1]), MRP2 (ABCC2), MRP4 (ABCC4) and lung relative resistance protein (LRP) drug efflux pumps. We demonstrated that lapatinib could enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents in MRP1-overexpressing cells in vitro and in vivo, but no effect in MRP2-, MPR4- and LRP-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, lapatinib significantly increased the accumulation of rhodamine 123 (Rho123) and doxorubicin (DOX) in MRP1-overexpressing cells. However, lapatinib did not alter the protein or mRNA expression levels of MRP1. Further studies showed that the level of phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) were not altered at the indicated concentrations of lapatinib. In conclusion, lapatinib enhanced the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents in MRP1-overexpressing cells by inhibiting MRP1 transport function without altering the level of AKT or ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These findings will encourage the clinical research of lapatinib combined with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in MRP1-overexpressing cancer patients.
Insights
Lapatinib enhances chemotherapy efficacy in MRP1-overexpressing cancers by inhibiting the MRP1 transporter. This tyrosine kinase inhibitor improves drug accumulation without affecting AKT or ERK1/2 phosphorylation, offering new clinical possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lapatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for HER2-positive breast cancer.
- ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters like ABCB1 and ABCG2 drive multidrug resistance (MDR).
- The role of other efflux pumps, including MRP1, in lapatinib's efficacy is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lapatinib's impact on multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and other drug efflux pumps.
- To determine if lapatinib can overcome resistance mediated by MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, and LRP.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which lapatinib affects MRP1 function.
Main Methods:
- In vitro and in vivo studies using MRP1-overexpressing cells.
- Assessing lapatinib's effect on the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents.
- Measuring the intracellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 and doxorubicin.
- Analyzing protein and mRNA expression levels of MRP1.
- Evaluating AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels.
Main Results:
- Lapatinib enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy in MRP1-overexpressing cells but not in cells overexpressing MRP2, MRP4, or LRP.
- Lapatinib increased intracellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 and doxorubicin in MRP1-overexpressing cells.
- Lapatinib did not alter MRP1 protein or mRNA expression, nor AKT/ERK1/2 phosphorylation.
Conclusions:
- Lapatinib inhibits MRP1 transport function, enhancing chemotherapy efficacy in MRP1-overexpressing cancers.
- This mechanism operates independently of changes in AKT or ERK1/2 phosphorylation.
- Findings support clinical trials combining lapatinib with conventional agents for MRP1-overexpressing cancers.
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