Transfer of a protein called P-glycoprotein among malignant tumor cells may explain how genetically chemotherapy-sensitive cells gain temporary resistance long enough for some to develop long-term, genetic resistance to drugs, according to an article published online January 17th by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The American researchers verified the phenomenon with both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Future research that focuses on clarifying the mechanisms underlying protein transfer may allow development of agents or procedures that can decrease risk for development of resistance and increase likelihood of success with chemotherapy.
At the molecular level, the authors concluded that their findings offer a new way in which to look at how cells behave in a community of cells within a tumor mass. The results have important implications for genomic analyses within tumor samples because resistance to cancer therapy can be achieved by protein transfer alone.