Expression analysis of protein kinase C isozymes and multidrug resistance associated genes in ovarian cancer cells.

We recently demonstrated a correlation between the expression levels of the PKC eta isozyme and the MDR1 or MRP genes in blasts from AML patients, and in primary breast cancers. In order to extend these findings we analysed ovarian cancer cells from 14 ascites aspirates from 8 patients using a cDNA-PCR approach. 5 patients were examined in follow up studies. 4 out of these 5 patients received continuous chemotherapy. The relative increases in MDR1, MRP, LRP or PKC eta mRNA expression levels were monitored. In one of these patients combined significant increase in MDR1, MRP, LRP and PKC was seen. One follow up sample was obtained after chemotherapy was discontinued. In this case significant relative decreases of MDR1, LRP and PKC eta mRNA expression levels were found. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was determined for the relative mRNA expression levels of MRP and PKC eta. These results point to a multifactorial emergence of MDR in this type of tumor with a possible involvement of the PKC eta isozyme.