Expression of mdr-1 gene in cancer tissue and its association with morphological indexes of esophageal carcinoma in Anyang

Abstract

To detect the levels of mdr-1 gene expression in fresh untreated esophageal carcinomas, and to correlate these levels to current prognostic indicators of morphology. mdr-1 gene expression of 46 untreated esophageal carcinoma was investigated with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and compared with the positive incidences among differentiated grades, TNM stages and macroscopic types of cancer. All 46 samples were pathologically squamous cell carcinoma. The positive incidence of mdr-1 gene expression was 37% (17/46) in the whole group, and 35% (6/17), 40% (8/20), 33% (3/9) for differentiated grade I, II and III respectively. The expression rate of 33% (6/18), 40% (5/12), and 37% (6/16) was for TNM stage IIa, IIb, and III respectively. Macroscopically, the positive incidence was 37% (3/8) in constrictive, 33% (5/15) in fungating, 40% (6/14) in medullary, and 33% (3/9) in ulcerative type. There were no significant differences in each category system of morphology. Because of highly expressive level of mdr-1 gene in untreated esophageal carcinoma, we should choose appropriate chemotherapeutic regimen for esophageal Ca. The expression of mdr-1 gene in untreated esophageal cancer was independent of morphologic prognostic indexes without correlation between mdr-1 gene expression and morphological indexes.