P-glycoprotein expression in non-hodgkins-lymphoma.

Tissues from twenty-nine patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were examined for the presence of the P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a transmembrane protein associated with multidrug resistance. Six of the 29 NHL (21%) expressed Pgp; 3 of 8 (38%) low grade and 3 of 16 (19%) intermediate grade. No relationship was found between Pgp expression and age, stage, lactate dehydrogenase levels, extranodal disease or previous chemotherapy exposure. Pgp was present in 3 of 13 (23%) complete responders and 3 of 11 (27%) partial or nonresponders (p>0.10) suggesting no direct association between treatment response and Pgp expression in this series.