The resistance of lung cancer cells to the therapeutic actions of anticancer drugs is a serious clinical problem often encountered during cancer chemotherapy. It is very important, therefore, to investigate how to prevent and/or reverse this drug resistance. To this end, we took advantage of the fact that the overexpression of MDR1 and MRP genes, two genes known to be associated with the development of drug resistance, is very common in lung cancer. We used antisense RNA in an attempt to prevent expression of the protein products of these genes. Using a retrovirus, we introduced the antisense RNAs of MDR1 and MRP genes into doxorubicin-selected, multidrug-resistant GAOK cells, a cell which overexpresses both MDR1 and MRP genes. The expression levels of the products of the MDR1 gene (Pgp) and MRP gene (Mrp) in the transfected cells were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the drug resistances of the transfected cells were detected by a cell viability (MTT) assay. The expression of Pgp and Mrp in the transfected cells was almost completely inhibited by the antisense RNAs: expression levels decreased 64% and 93%, respectively. In parallel, the drug resistance of these cells decreased about 99% to doxorubicin, 98% to vinblastine, and 97% to colchicine. These results show that: a) antisense RNAs can attenuate drug resistance, an inhibition that might lead to new treatments for patients who are, or become, refractory to conventional chemotherapy; b) MDR1 and MRP appear to be cooperating to confer drug resistance in GAOK cells.
Cyclo(Leu-Gly) (CLG), a diketopiperazine analog of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (MIF), has direct effects on dopamine (DA) mediated behaviors as well as on D-2 DA receptors. Endogenous opioids, as well as morphine have also been implicated as neuromodulators of dopaminergic function. We studied these interactions in an animal model in which chronic morphine administration induces a dopaminergic supersensitivity that can be detected during the 48 hour (h) period following withdrawal of morphine. At 24 h following morphine withdrawal, there was a 3.5-fold increase in stereotypic behavior in rats following a challenge dose of apomorphine (APO) (0.5 mg/kg). By 48 h this effect had disappeared. Co-administration of CLG (8 mg/kg s.c.) with morphine attenuated the development of the behavioral supersensitivity to APO. D-2 DA receptor binding analysis indicated that parallel molecular changes occurred. There was a morphine-induced increase in the affinity (+167 percent) in antagonist (i.e. 3H-spiroperidol displaced by butaclamol) binding at 24 h after withdrawal. Co-administration of CLG with morphine attenuated these DA receptor changes at 24 hours which is consistent with the peptide's effect on stereotyped behavior. However, antagonist binding parameters did not parallel changes in behavior at 48 h. Agonist binding was then studied by examining DA displaceable 3H-spiroperidol (75 pM) binding to the D-2 DA receptor. Two receptor subpopulations D-2-HI and D-2-LO were revealed. Morphine caused an increase in the affinity for agonist binding to the D-2-HI site (83-fold increase). Affinity changes at the D-2-HI site correlated positively and strongly with the behavioral changes in all groups at both 24 and 48 h. We conclude that changes in agonist binding to D-2 DA receptors rather than antagonist binding is more consistent with the behaviors induced by morphine and CLG.
Selective estrogen receptor modifiers (SERMs) are used chronically in the treatment of breast cancer and osteoporosis but some patients become resistant, at which point second-line SERMs are considered as options. Because the use of SERMs is increasing and breast cancer is so common, we tested the hypothesis that treatment with SERMs can induce cross-resistance to other SERMs. We used three cultured breast carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7, ZR-75-1, and T47D) which are estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) and are prone to developing resistance to hormonal treatment. Cell lines were exposed to increasing doses of raloxifene. Raloxifene-resistant clones were selected and tested for cross-resistance to tamoxifen. Compared to untreated cells, raloxifene-resistant clones showed an increased IC50 (reduced potency) of about 15,000-fold with no apparent change in maximal inhibition of cell growth. These same raloxifene-resistant clones were also about 15-fold more resistant to the growth-inhibiting effects of tamoxifen. While the resistance to tamoxifen is considerably less marked (1000-fold less), it is large enough to raise the question as to whether patients who become resistant to raloxifene will benefit by switching to tamoxifen or vice versa.
Although chronic alcoholics frequently present with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the precise prevalence of GI symptoms in this group is unknown. Accordingly, we compared the frequency and severity of GI symptoms in 48 male alcoholics with those of 48 nonalcoholic controls. A standardized questionnaire was administered on two separate occasions to all subjects, and 14 GI symptoms were evaluated for three periods (during active drinking, early withdrawal, and sobriety). Symptom severity was assessed with a visual analog scale (1-10). Both actively drinking and withdrawing alcoholics had more frequent heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence, and more severe chest pain, milk intolerance, and postprandial fullness. These symptoms were transient and did not correlate with the quantity of alcohol consumed. Thus, alcoholics have more frequent and more severe GI symptoms which resolve quickly during abstinence and which predominantly occur while actively drinking rather than during withdrawal.
