Does P-glycoprotein-170 expression predict for chemoresistance in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder?

Introduction: The glycoprotein P-170, causing drug efflux from the cells, may represent at least one cause of resistance to most drugs used in intravesical chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: GP-170 was retrospectively assessed in 60 patients affected by superficial transitional cell tumours of the bladder. It was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a semiquantitative way by the intensity of staining and by the percentage of positive cells. Correlation of GP-170 expression with G-grade, T-category, multiplicity, recurrence rate and treatment was investigated. In 44 patients recurrence was analysed in relation to GP-170 basal expression and to its variations. T…