Objective: To overcome the multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells.
Methods: Human drug resistant cell line KB-8-5 was transfected with a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the 5' end region of MDR1 gene (ODN). In vitro drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay. Intracellular drug concentration was assessed by flow cytometric analysis and expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) was determined by immunohistochemistry method.
Results: The administration of ODN for 72 hours increased daunorubicin (DNR) accumulation and decreased Pgp expression in KB-8-5 cells. Incomplete reversal of MDR in the KB-8-5 cells was observed when lipofectin was used to deliver ODN to the cells. Lipofectin enhanced the reversing activity, and approximately 74.43% of the cells lost their resistance to DNR.
Conclusion: ODN circumvents resistance in the KB-8-5 cells may be ascribed to the reduced expression of Pgp in the cells.