MDR1 RNA TRANSCRIPTS DO NOT INDICATE LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS IN COLORECTAL CARCINOMAS

Because P-glycoprotein expression might be associated with a more aggr essive behaviour of colorectal carcinomas (Weinstein et al., Cancer Re s, 1991, 51, 2720-2726), we determined the relationship between MDR1 R NA expression of the carcinomas and the survival of the patients. At a median duration of follow-up of 86 months, event-free survival of pat ients with MDR1 RNA-negative tumours (n = 35) was not significantly di fferent to that of patients with MDR1 RNA positive tumours (n = 67). A mong the different tumour stages, event-free survival of the patients was also independent of MDR1 gene expression of the tumours. Thus, the se findings do not support the hypothesis that local aggressiveness of P-glycoprotein positive tumour cells translates into worse clinical o utcome. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.