Introduction: Platinum-based chemotherapy and 3rd generation drugs is still the main treatment option for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without activating EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements. However, the side effects associated with cytostatics are well known. Changes in the genes (e.g. single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) encoding proteins regulating DNA repair or cell division could potentially influence on both the susceptibility of cancer cells to chemotherapy, and the occurrence of toxicities.
Materials and methods: In presented study, the relationship between the fourteen SNPs in nine DNA repair and cell division regulating genes: ERCC1, XPD, XPA, XPC, XRCC1, XPG, RRM1, BRCA1, STMN1 and the toxicity of first-line chemotherapy in NSCLC patients were investigated. SNPs were determined by SNaPshot PCR® in DNA isolated from peripheral blood of 55 NSCLC patients treated with platinum compound and vinorelbine. The toxicity of therapy was evaluated according to the Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) Version 4.03.
Results: The odds ratio (OR) of severe haematological toxicity was significantly lower in carriers of the T allele of XRCC1 gene (1196A > G, OR = 0.22, 95 % CI: 0.06-0.82, p = 0.018) and higher in the carriers of the T allele (2704C > A) of XPC gene (OR: 7.50, 95 % CI: 0.89-63.17, p = 0.036) compared to the remaining patients. Risk of severe hepatotoxicity was significantly lower in carriers of the C allele of STMN1 (-2166T > C, OR = 0.09, 95 % CI: 0.01-1.12, p = 0.025) than in patients with T allele of this gene. In carriers of G allele (2251A > C, OR: 0.24, 95 % CI: 0.07-0.81, p = 0.017) and T (934G > A, OR: 0.26, 95 % CI: 0.07-0.90, p = 0.029) of XPD gene, risk of severe nephrotoxicity was significantly lower than in other patients.
Conclusions: Selected SNPs of genes encoding DNA repair enzymes and cell division regulation proteins could be useful biomarkers for prediction of platinum and vinorelbine-based chemotherapy toxicity in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Keywords: Chemotherapy; DNA repair; Non-small cell lung cancer; SNPs; STMN1; Toxicity.