Overexpression of Snail accelerates adriamycin induction of multidrug resistance in breast cancer cells

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2011;12(10):2575-80.

Abstract

In addition to several molecular and morphologic changes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) cells also show variation in sensitivity to chemotherapeutics agents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether overexpression of Snail in MCF-7 cells is associated with facilitated acquisition of P-gp mediated multidrug resistance (MDR). The results demonstrated that over-expression of Snail indeed resulted in slight enhancement of adriamycin-induced MDR in MCF-7/Snail cells without detectable increase of P-gp. However, in the longer term, MCF-7 cells overexpressing Snail were prone to be resistant to adriamycin, in this case with increased expression of P-gp. These results provide evidence that a strategy involving Snail inhibition may be a useful and promising therapeutic aspect in modulating MDR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Cadherins
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Doxorubicin