To study the expression of
lung resistance protein (LRP) and multidrug resistance
protein (MRP) genes in bone marrow cells in patients with acute
leukemia and its clinical significance, expression of LRP and MRP
mRNA in bone marrow cells from 47 cases of acute
leukemia, including 10 refractory or relapsed cases, and 7 normal individuals were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The result s showed that expression of LRP gene was negative in normal individuals. LRP
mRNA level in newly treated cases of
acute myelocytic leukemia and refractory or relapsed cases was significantly higher than that in normal individuals, increased LRP
mRNA level has correlation with lower sensitivity to initial
chemotherapy and was associated with reduced overall survival rate. Complete remission (CR) rate in LRP positive patients was lower than that in negative cases. The level of LRP expression was correlated with that of MRP
mRNA. In conclusion, the expression of LRP
mRNA can predict the treatment outcome and prognosis for
acute myelocytic leukemia, prognosis was even worse in LRP and MRP linked expression cases, therefore, LRP was an important resistant factor, determination of LRP and MRP expression can help us to evaluate the prognosis and choose
chemotherapy program.