Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of multidrug resistance-associated protein(MRP) and lung resistance protein(LRP) in rectal carcinoma.
Methods: Fiftyseven paraffin embeded primary rectal carcinoma specimens were examined by immunohistochemical staining.
Results: Of the 57 tumour specimens examined, 28(49.1%) and 24(42.1%) were positively immunostaned for MRP and LRP, respectively. Co-expression of the two proteins was observed in 10(17.5%) specimens. Positive immunostaning of either of the two proteins was not correlated with cell differentiation and Dukes stage (P > 0.05). Patients with MRP-positive tumours had shorter survival than MRP-negative patients (P < 0.05). No such correlation was found for LRP expression, nor was found between MRP and LRP expression.
Conclusion: Positive MRP expression in rectal carcinoma appears to be an independant factor of prognostic significance. To examine its expression may help guide rational comprehensive therapy of rectal carcinoma.