Molecular interrelationships in multidrug resistance (review).

A brief review of the "state of the art" (1993) knowledge concerning the interrelationships of oncogenes and tumour suppressor gene p53 in multidrug resistance is presented. Gene products which induce malignant transformation and uncontrolled proliferation may play a role in activating gene(s) involved in multidrug resistance. In view of the fact that drug resistance remains the major reason for chemotherapy failure in cancer therapy, a better understanding of the genetic connections which influence the final outcome of cancer could help rationalizing treatment.