[Multidrug resistance mediated by membrane P-glycoprotein in acute myeloid leukemia]

Abstract

A key issue in the treatment of acute leukemia is the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Several mechanisms may account for this phenomenon, including failure of the cell to undergo apoptosis in response to chemotherapy, or failure of the drug to reach and/or affect its intracellular target. This review focuses on the latter mechanisms, and on intracellular drug transport resistance mechanisms in particular. Expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has generally been reported to correlate with prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Additionally, of more controversial, expression of the ABC transporter multidrug resistance protein (MRP) and the vault-transporter lung resistance protein (LRP) have been correlated with the outcome in AML.