Multidrug resistance gene (MDR-1) expression as a useful prognostic factor in patients with human hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection.

Background: Multidrug resistance gene (MDR-1) overexpression has been correlated with tumor aggressiveness and worse prognosis in some human neoplasms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical value of MDR-1 mRNA expression as a prognostic factor after surgical resection in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: MDR-1 mRNA levels in tissue samples from 34 patients with HCC, who underwent surgical resection, were measured by quantitative northern blot analysis. We stratified these patients into two groups according to a ratio of MDR-1 mRNA levels of HCC to nontumorous tissue; MDR-1 mRNA ratio > or = 1.0 and < 1.0. The overall and disease-free survival rates were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis.
Results: The median survival periods were 10.3 and 35.8 months for patients with the MDR-1 mRNA ratio > or = 1.0 and < 1.0, respectively, and the corresponding 5-year survival rates were 33 and 54%, respectively, P < 0.05. The multivariate analysis revealed that TNM stage and MDR-1 mRNA ratio were independent factors for predicting overall survival after surgical resection.
Conclusion: This study suggested that the measurement of the MDR-1 mRNA levels in HCC and nontumorous liver tissue might be a useful prognostic factor after surgical resection in patients with HCC.
(Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)