Evaluation of multidrug resistance in 46 newly diagnosed patients with acute leukemia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the expression profile of multidrug resistance (MDR)-related proteins ABCB1, ABCC1 and LRP in 46 patients with acute leukemia (AL).

Methods: The levels of MDR gene mRNA expression and protein expression at diagnosis were analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results: In the adult group, higher expression levels of abcc1 gene were associated with older age and lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In the pediatric group, abcc1 gene expression levels were associated with higher CD34 expression and a higher ABCB1 protein expression was correlated with high WBC counts.

Discussion/conclusion: The present data indicate that abcb1 gene overexpression may be associated with a poor prognosis in adults with AL and that ABCB1 and abcc1 expression correlates with different prognostic factors in pediatric patients with AL. Our findings demonstrate that the method of choice to evaluate chemotherapy resistance-related proteins is a major variable.