Effect of short-term morphine exposure on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in cancer cell lines

  • Authors:
    • Marina Pajic
    • Mary Bebawy
    • Janelle M. Hoskins
    • Basil D. Roufogalis
    • Laurent P. Rivory
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 1, 2004     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.11.5.1091
  • Pages: 1091-1095
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Abstract

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a common problem in various types of cancer. One important factor in the development of MDR is overexpression of P-glycoprotein, encoded by the MDR1 gene. Morphine is the opioid of choice for moderate to severe cancer pain, and is a substrate of P-glycoprotein. Recently, morphine has been shown to induce P-glycoprotein expression in the rat brain. Using Western blot analysis and cytotoxicity assays respectively, we have investigated the effects of short-term (72 h) morphine treatment on P-glycoprotein expression in a panel of human cancer cell lines, and its effects on cellular resistance to the known P-glycoprotein substrates, vinblastine and colchicine. The effect of morphine on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in the mouse fibroblast NIH-3T3 cell was assessed to establish whether morphine effects are species specific. Short-term exposure to morphine did not result in any significant differences in P-glycoprotein expression or activity in any cancer cell lines. Morphine pre-treatment resulted in a moderate but significant increase in sensitivity of NIH-3T3 cells to vinblastine, but not colchicine. This study suggests that morphine effects may be cell-type specific. Importantly, however, it appears that short-term morphine treatment does not affect the MDR phenotype of tumour cells.

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May 2004
Volume 11 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Pajic M, Bebawy M, Hoskins JM, Roufogalis BD and Rivory LP: Effect of short-term morphine exposure on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in cancer cell lines. Oncol Rep 11: 1091-1095, 2004
APA
Pajic, M., Bebawy, M., Hoskins, J.M., Roufogalis, B.D., & Rivory, L.P. (2004). Effect of short-term morphine exposure on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in cancer cell lines. Oncology Reports, 11, 1091-1095. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.11.5.1091
MLA
Pajic, M., Bebawy, M., Hoskins, J. M., Roufogalis, B. D., Rivory, L. P."Effect of short-term morphine exposure on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in cancer cell lines". Oncology Reports 11.5 (2004): 1091-1095.
Chicago
Pajic, M., Bebawy, M., Hoskins, J. M., Roufogalis, B. D., Rivory, L. P."Effect of short-term morphine exposure on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in cancer cell lines". Oncology Reports 11, no. 5 (2004): 1091-1095. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.11.5.1091