Investigation of docetaxel and doxorubicin resistance in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line


Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009

Öğrenci: ÖZLEM DARCANSOY İŞERİ

Danışman: UFUK GÜNDÜZ

Özet:

Multidrug resistance phenotype of tumor cells describes resistance to wide range of structurally unrelated anticancer agents and is a serious limitation to effective chemotherapy. It is a multifactor yet not fully elucidated phenomenon by the involvement of diverse cellular pathways. Aim of this study was to investigate the resistance mechanisms developed against docetaxel and doxorubicin that are widely used in the treatment of breast cancer in model cell line MCF-7. Resistant sublines were developed by application of drugs in dose increments and effect of docetaxel and doxorubicin on drug applied cells were investigated by cell viability assays. Expression analysis of P-gp, MRP1, BCRP, Bcl-2, Bax and β-tubulin isotypes were performed by RT-PCR, qPCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Genome-wide expression analysis was also performed by cDNA microarray. According to cell viability assays, drug applied cells developed varying degree of resistance to docetaxel and doxorubicin. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that de novo expression of P-gp contributed significantly to drug resistance. Expression levels of class II, III and V β-tubulin isotypes increased in docetaxel resistant sublines. According to microarray analysis, a variety of genes showed significantly altered expression levels particularly drug metabolizing and detoxification enzymes (i.e. increased GPX1 and GSTP1 with decreased POR), survival proteins (e.g. decreased TRAIL together with increased decoy receptors and CD40), extracellular matrix components (e.g. increased integrin signaling), growth factors and cytokines (e.g. EGFR1, FGFR1, CTGF, IL6, IL8 and IL18 overexpression), epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins (i.e. increased vimentin and N-cadherin with decreased E-cadherin and occludin) and microtubule dynamics related proteins (e.g. increased MAP1B and decreased MAP7). Development of cross-resistance and combined drug effects on resistant sublines were also studied. Results demonstrated that docetaxel and doxorubicin resistant cells developed cross-resistance to paclitaxel, vincristine, ATRA, tamoxifen and irradiation. Finally, modulatory effects of verapamil and promethazine in combined drug applications were investigated and verapamil and promethazine were shown to decrease MDR1 expression level thus reverse the MDR. They also showed synergic and additive effects in combined docetaxel and doxorubicin applications. Identification of resistance mechanisms may personalize chemotherapy potentially increasing efficacy of chemotherapy and life quality of patients.