@article {MOLNAR237, author = {JOSEPH MOLNAR and NORA GY{\'E}MANT and ILONA MUCSI and ANNAMARIA MOLNAR and MARGARET SZABo and TAMAS K{\"O}RTV{\'E}LYESI and ANDRAS VARGA and P{\'E}TER MOLNAR and GYULA TOTH}, title = {Modulation of Multidrug Resistance and Apoptosis of Cancer Cells by Selected Carotenoids}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, pages = {237--244}, year = {2004}, publisher = {International Institute of Anticancer Research}, abstract = {The multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins that belong to the ATP-binding casette superfamily are present in a majority of human tumors and are an important final cause of therapeutic failure. Therefore, compounds which inhibit the function of the MDR-efflux proteins may improve the cytotoxic action of anticancer chemotherapy. The effects of carotenoids were studied on the activity of the MDR-1 gene-encoded efflux pump system. The carotenoids, isolated from paprika and other vegetables, were tested on the rhodamine 123 accumulation of human MDR-1 gene-transfected L1210 mouse lymphoma cells and human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 (HTB-26). Capsanthin and capsorubin enhanced the rhodamine 123 accumulation 30-fold relative to nontreated lymphoma cells. Lycopene, lutein, antheraxanthin and violaxanthin had moderate effects, while alfa- and beta-carotene had no effect on the reversal of MDR in the tumor cells. Apoptosis was induced in human MDR1 transfected mouse lymphoma cells and human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 (HTB-26) cell lines in the presence of lycopene, zeaxanthin and capsanthin. The data suggest the potential of carotenoids as possible resistance modifiers in cancer chemotherapy. Copyright {\textcopyright} 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved}, issn = {0258-851X}, URL = {https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/18/2/237}, eprint = {https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/18/2/237.full.pdf}, journal = {In Vivo} }