ML210 Antagonizes ABCB1- Not ABCG2-Mediated Multidrug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer.

Objectives: ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) compromises chemotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite decades of research, no selective ABCB1 inhibitor has achieved clinical success. This study investigates ML210 as a novel ABCB1-specific inhibitor to reverse ABCB1-driven MDR. Methods: Cytotoxicity assays (MTT) were performed on ABCB1-overexpressing HCT-8/V and ABCG2-overexpressing S1-M1-80 CRC cells. Drug accumulation (doxorubicin/mitoxantrone) was quantified via flow cytometry, and cell cycle effects were analyzed using propidium iodide staining. Molecular docking utilized the ABCB1 crystal structure. Results: ML210 selectively reversed ABCB1-mediated resistance to doxorubicin and vincristine in HCT-8/V cells, enhancing intracellular drug accumulation without affecting ABCG2 activity. It induced cell cycle arrest in ABCB1-overexpressing cells and did not alter ABCB1 protein expression. Molecular docking revealed stable binding of ML210 within the ABCB1 substrate pocket through hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Conclusions: ML210 is a selective ABCB1 inhibitor that circumvents MDR via direct transport blockade, offering a targeted strategy against ABCB1-mediated chemoresistance in CRC. Its specificity for ABCB1 over ABCG2 highlights potential clinical advantages.