RRM1 single nucleotide polymorphism -37C-->A correlates with progression-free survival in NSCLC patients after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) gene encodes the regulatory subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, the molecular target of gemcitabine. The overexpression of RRM1 mRNA in tumor tissues is reported to be associated with gemcitabine resistance. Thus, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the RRM1 gene are potential biomarkers of the response to gemcitabine chemotherapy. We investigated whether RRM1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or SNPs were associated with clinical outcome after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.


METHODS
PBMC samples were obtained from 62 stage IIIB and IV patients treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. RRM1 mRNA expression levels were assessed by real-time PCR. Three RRM1 SNPs, -37C-->A, 2455A-->G and 2464G-->A, were assessed by direct sequencing.


RESULTS
RRM1 expression was detectable in 57 PBMC samples, and SNPs were sequenced in 56 samples. The overall response rate to gemcitabine was 18%; there was no significant association between RRM1 mRNA expression and response rate (P = 0.560). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 23.3 weeks in the lower expression group and 26.9 weeks in the higher expression group (P = 0.659). For the -37C-->A polymorphism, the median PFS was 30.7 weeks in the C(-)37A group, 24.7 weeks in the A(-)37A group, and 23.3 weeks in the C(-)37C group (P = 0.043). No significant difference in PFS was observed for the SNP 2455A-->G or 2464G-->A.


CONCLUSIONS
The RRM1 polymorphism -37C-->A correlated with PFS in NSCLC patients treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. No significant correlation was found between PBMC RRM1 mRNA expression and the efficacy of gemcitabine.
Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Song
S
Dong
Ai-Lin
AL
Guo
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Chen
Zhen
Z
Wang
Xu-Chao
XC
Zhang
Ying
Y
Huang
Zhi
Z
Xie
Hong-Hong
HH
Yan
Hua
H
Cheng
Yi-Long
YL
Wu
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012262:Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D016190:Carboplatin; C475286:RRM1 protein, human; D012262:Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase; D000093542:Gemcitabine