Article
Molecular-biological investigations on the expression of multidrug resistance related genes (mdr) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck.
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Published: | September 22, 2005 |
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Aim of this study was to characterize the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of head and neck. This MDR phenotype is displayed by tumour cells, which are resistant to high levels of chemotherapeutics agents. Three MDR-related genes: mdr1, MRP2 und MRP5 (multidrug resistance protein) were investigated.
Nineteen SCC tissues were involved in this study. The expression of each gene was analysed with a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method using the housekeeping gene 18S as an endogenous control. Five specimen revealed degenerated mRNA, but the other 14 showed a low expression for mdr1, MRP2 and MRP5. The mean values of mdr 1, MRP2 and MRP 5 were 13,2*10-5; 19,7 *10-5 and 7,8 *10-5 respectively.
Further increase of sample numbers that will us allow to investigate the relation of the expression levels of the three MDR-related genes in SCC with clinicopathological features, like age, sex, degree of histologic cell differentiation, tumour stage, primary or recurred tumour or the presence or absence of chemotherapy is needed. Thus, more insight into the complex role postulated for MDR-related genes in chemotherapy, carcinogenesis and tumour progression could be revealed.