Research investigates MDR in human HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) responds poorly to chemotherapy owing to MDR. Recent studies have shown the tumors derived from the colon, kidney, or adrenal cortex, and HCC exhibited overexpression of MDR1/P-gp. This overexpression results in a primary MDR phenotype of these cancers. Tumor derived cell lines are one of the most important tools for investigation of the biological mechanisms directly leading to drug resistance in patients. Today, the experimental search for drug resistant mechanisms that are clinically relevant targets whose circumvention can improve cancer therapy is still ongoing.

A research, lead by Professor Ling and his colleagues in the Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, has recently been published on May 14, 2010 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, to represent models for investigating MDR in human HCC. Analysis of novel chemotherapy-resistant cell lines may duplicate the treatment conditions used in vivo.

The new MDR cell line, SK-Hep1/CDDP, can be used as an in vitro model to elucidate the biological mechanisms of MDR in hepatoma, from delineating the process of carcinogenesis through to testing new therapeutic agents. SK-Hep1/CDDP cells can also be used to explore targeted approaches for improving MDR cancer therapy.