Exposure to HIV-protease inhibitors selects for increased expression of P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) in Kaposi's sarcoma cells
2011

HIV-Protease Inhibitors and Drug Resistance in Kaposi's Sarcoma Cells

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lucia M B, Anu R, Handley M, Gillet J-P, Wu C-P, De Donatis G M, Cauda R, Gottesman M M

Primary Institution: National Cancer Institute, NIH

Hypothesis

Can HIV-protease inhibitors induce multidrug resistance in Kaposi's sarcoma cells through increased expression of ABCB1?

Conclusion

HIV-protease inhibitors select for increased ABCB1 expression in Kaposi's sarcoma cells, leading to multidrug resistance.

Supporting Evidence

  • Chronic treatment with HIV-protease inhibitors increased resistance to doxorubicin in Kaposi's sarcoma cells.
  • ABCB1 expression levels correlated with the degree of drug resistance observed.
  • Co-treatment with doxorubicin and HIV-protease inhibitors resulted in a synergistic increase in resistance.

Takeaway

This study found that certain HIV drugs can make cancer cells more resistant to treatment by changing how they handle medicines.

Methodology

Kaposi's sarcoma cells were treated with HIV-protease inhibitors and doxorubicin, and ABCB1 expression was measured using qRT-PCR and western blotting.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on in vitro results, which may not fully represent in vivo conditions.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/bjc.2011.275

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