P-glycoproteins (also known as P-glycoprotein transporters or multidrug resistance proteins) are a class of membrane proteins that play crucial roles in drug resistance in cancer cells. They are encoded by the ABCB1 gene (ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1) and are part of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. The main function of P-glycoproteins is to actively transport a wide range of drugs and other xenobiotics out of cells, thereby reducing their intracellular concentration. This efflux pump mechanism is responsible for the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs, leading to treatment failure and disease recurrence. P-glycoproteins are particularly implicated in multidrug resistance, where cancer cells become resistant to multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action (cross-resistance). P-glycoproteins are found in various tissues throughout the body, including the liver, kidney, intestine, and blood-brain barrier. Their presence in these tissues also contributes to drug resistance in other diseases, such as infectious diseases and neurological disorders, by limiting the intracellular concentration of therapeutic agents. In cancer, P-glycoproteins are often overexpressed in tumour cells, leading to increased efflux of anti-cancer drugs and decreased drug accumulation within the cells. P-glycoprotein overexpression has been observed in: 1) Breast cancer, where overexpression is associated with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents like anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin) and taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel); 2) Ovarian cancer, where overexpression has been observed in cases of recurrent or refractory disease. It contributes to resistance against drugs like paclitaxel, platinum-based agents (e.g., cisplatin), and topoisomerase inhibitors (e.g., etoposide); 3) Lung cancer, where overexpression has been found in both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Its overexpression can lead to resistance against drugs such as paclitaxel, vinorelbine, and docetaxel; 4) Colorectal cancer, where overexpression has been associated with resistance to drugs like irinotecan. P-glycoprotein expression can vary within tumours, leading to heterogeneity in drug resistance. Some regions of a tumour may have higher P-glycoprotein expression, while others may have lower expression or even lack it altogether. This heterogeneity can result in uneven responses to chemotherapy within the tumour, with some cells being more resistant to treatment than others. Understanding the role of P-glycoproteins has led to the development of strategies to overcome drug resistance. Combination therapies with inhibitors of P-glycoprotein activity have been investigated to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. Additionally, efforts are being made to develop alternative treatment approaches, such as nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, that can bypass the efflux pump mechanism and improve drug retention within cancer cells. We offer a large product catalogue of research tools for investigating P glycoproteins, including P Glycoprotein antibodies. Explore our full P glycoproteins product range below and discover more, for less.