Expression of mdr1, mrp and lrp genes in gastric carcinoma and their clinical significance

Objective: To explore the expression of mdr1, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and lung resistance protein (LRP) genes in human gastric cancer and their clinical significance. Methods: The mdr1 mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR, the MRP and LRP were detected by flow cytometry. Results: The positive rate of mdr1 mRNA was 44.4% (12/27), and the mean MRP and LRP expression were independent upon patient histologic type, nodal involvement, and TNM stage. The mdr1 mRNA expression in patients with serosa invasion was 30.0% (6/20), much lower than that without serosa invasion (85.7%). Conclusion: The multidrug resistance cells are present in primary gastric carcinomas prior to chemotherapy, and analysis of mdr1 gene, MRP, LRP may have guiding significance in the treatment of gastric carcinoma.