Abstract

RUIZ GOMEZ, M. J.; SOUVIRON RODRIGUEZ, A.  and  MARTINEZ MORILLO, M.. P-glycoprotein, a membrane pump that represents a barrier to chemotherapy in cancer patients. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.9, pp.49-57. ISSN 0212-7199.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in oncology is considered to be the main cause of chemotherapy failure in the treatment of patients with cancer. The resistance mechanism consists in decrease intracellular drug accumulation by P-glycoprotein (Gp-P) overexpression. This protein acts as a drug-extracting pump that needs energy in the process. The efflux takes place by mean of a pore in the cell membrane that consist in twelve segments. The activity of this pump is regulated by protein kinase C and shows homology with other transport systems. The analysis of the presence of Gp-P and the characterization of MDR phenotype in biopsy material could be important in the overcome of the resistance to cancer chemotherapy.

Keywords : P-glycoprotein; Multidrug resistance; MDR; Oncology; Chemotherapy.

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