BCRP expression in VX2 rabbit liver tumours and its effects on tumour recurrence, metastasis and treatment tolerability.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects of BCRP expression on tumor recurrence, metastasis and treatment tolerability. METHODS A VX2 rabbit liver tumor model was established. Division was randomly into 4 groups: namely saline control group; A group, given hydration lipiodol; B group, Ad-p53; and C group, Ad-p53+hydration lipiodol. After the intervention, samples were collected to detect the BCRP, MMP-2, VEGF and PCNA. RESULTS The expression of BCRP, MMP-2, PCNA and VEGF in tumors in Group A had no significant difference when compared with the control group, while in B and C group, the values were significantly lower (P < 0.05). BCRP positive expression in metastatic lesions significantly increased (P < 0.05), and was correlated with MMP-2 (X2=6.172, P = 0.0131). CONCLUSIONS BCRP may play an important role in mediating liver cancer multidrug resistance to chemotherapy, and may be correlated with tumor recurrence and metastasis, which leads to weakened treatment effect. Ad-P53 can down-regulate the expression of related genes, playing a role in multidrug resistance reversal and increased sensitivity in liver cancer treatment.