Abstract: Objective To compare the differential expression of MRP1 in human breast cancer sensitive cells (MCF-7/S)and resistant cells (MCF-7/TAM、MCF-7/ADR), and to preliminary distinguish whether there is a common mechanism between breast cancer cells resistant to tamoxifen (TAM) and to adriamycin(ADR).Methods We detected the expression of MRP1 gene and MRP1 protein in the three breast cancer cells by using the methods of real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot respectively.Results The expression of MRP1 gene in MCF-7/TAM and MCF-7/ADR cells was (2.63 ± 0.18) and (8.38 ±0.76) times of MCF-7/S cells respectively, which was significantly different (P1=0.004,P2=0.003). The expression of MRP1 protein in MCF-7/TAM and MCF-7/ADR cells was higher than MCF-7/S cells,which was consistent with the trend of MRP1 gene. Conclusions The high expression of MRP1 may be the common mechanism in breast cancer cells resistant to TAM and ADR.