Category: Drug resistance

Over 48 ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters have been identified in the human genome, acting as membrane-spanning proteins that move substances across cellular barriers. The most significant pharmacological meaning of **ABC in drugs** refers to this family of transport proteins, which play a crucial role in the absorption, distribution, and elimination of many medications. However, the acronym can refer to entirely different concepts, such as inventory control methods in pharmacy management.

In some multidrug-resistant bacteria, efflux pumps can increase drug resistance by thousands of times. This mechanism is crucial to understanding **what is drug expulsion** in a cellular context, a process where cells actively remove foreign substances like antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs. This active cellular defense differs significantly from the body's general drug elimination processes carried out by organs like the kidneys and liver.