Immunohistochemical detection of the multi-drug-resistance marker P-glycoprotein in uterine cervical carcinomas and normal cervical tissue.

Uterine cervical carcinomas and normal cervical tissue (controls) were investigated for the presence of the multi-drug-resistance gene product P-glycoprotein by means of immunohistochemistry, with the C219 monoclonal antibody and the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Ten of 11 cervical carcinomas, 2 of which were previously treated with chemotherapeutic agents of the multi-drug-resistance group, showed a positive reaction of tumor cells. All normal controls showed a positive reaction of the ectocervical and endocervical epithelial cells. P-glycoprotein seems to be implicated at least in part in resistance to chemotherapy of cervical carcinoma.