Lack of influence of XRCC1 and XPD gene polymorphisms on outcome of platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non small cell lung cancers.

PURPOSE: Genetic polymorphisms of DNA repair genes are associated with differential enzyme activity and may help explain interindividual differences in response rates after platinum-based chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). This study was conducted to assess relationships between X-ray repair cross complementing group1 (XRCC1) and xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) genetic polymorphisms and outcome in NSCLC patients.

METHODS: From March 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008, the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to evaluate genetic polymorphisms of the XRCC1 codon399 (Arg/Gln) and XPD codon751 (Lys/Gln) DNA repair genes in 108 patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLCs treated with platinum-based chemotherapy in the Department of Chemotherapy of Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute.

RESULTS: Among the assessed NSCLC patients, the overall response rate of chemotherapy was 21.6%. No association was found with either of the genetic polymorphisms, although the XRCC1 399Arg/Arg genotype was associated with a non-significant higher median survival time (29 months versus 21 months for the Arg/Gln genotype and 15 months for the Gln/Gln genotype, P= 0.09).

CONCLUSION: Our results suggested no influence of the XRCC1 codon399 (Arg/Gln) and XPD codon751 (Lys/Gln) genetic polymorphisms on treatment response and survival in advanced NSCLC patients with platinum-based chemotherapy.