Intergenic polymorphisms in the amphiregulin gene region as biomarkers in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with anti-EGFR plus irinotecan

Pharmacogenomics J. 2014 Jun;14(3):256-62. doi: 10.1038/tpj.2013.29. Epub 2013 Aug 20.

Abstract

In the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, polymorphisms in EGFR and its ligand EGF have been studied as biomarkers for anti-EGFR treatment. However, the potential pharmacogenetic role of other EGFR ligands such as amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) has not been elucidated. We studied 74 KRAS and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with anti-EGFR plus irinotecan. Twenty-two genetic variants in EGFR, EGF, AREG and EREG genes were selected using HapMap database and literature resources. Three tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the AREG gene region (rs11942466 C>A, rs13104811 A>G, and rs9996584 C>T) predicted disease control in the multivariate analyses. AREG rs11942466 C>A and rs9996584 C>T were also associated with overall survival (OS). The functional polymorphism, EGFR rs712829 G>T, was associated with progression-free and OS. Our findings support that intergenic polymorphisms in the AREG gene region might help to identify colorectal cancer patients that will benefit from irinotecan plus anti-EGFR therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphiregulin / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Camptothecin / therapeutic use
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA Primers
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Amphiregulin
  • Biomarkers
  • DNA Primers
  • Irinotecan
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Camptothecin