title: HtrA1, a potential predictor of response to cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy in gastric cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  HtrA1 is a member of the HtrA (high-temperature requirement factor A) family of serine proteases. HtrA1 plays a protective role in various malignancies due to its tumour suppressive properties. The aim of this study was to determine HtrA1 expression as a predictor of chemoresponse in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HtrA1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry on specimens of primary gastric cancer from 80 patients treated consecutively with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Response to chemotherapy was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria. Our population consisted of males/females [51/29; median age 64 years (range 32-82)]. A complete or partial response was observed in 71.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 54.7-88.2], 66.7% (95% CI 47.8-85.5) and 28.6% (95 CI 11.8-45.3) of tumours showing high, medium and low HtrA1 expression, respectively. A statistically significant association between HtrA1 expression and the clinical response was observed (P = 0.002). The median overall survival for patients with high/medium expression was 17 months compared to 9.5 months for patients with low HtrA1 expression (P = 0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of HtrA1 in gastric cancer prior to chemotherapy indicates that levels of HtrA1 could be used to predict response to platinum-based combination therapies. Further assessment of HtrA1 expression is highly warranted in large, prospective studies.
authors: Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale San Salvatore, Pesaro, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Catalano
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Mellone
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: d'Avino
authors: Viji
authors: V
authors: Shridhar
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Staccioli
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Graziano
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Giordani
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rossi
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Baldelli
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Alessandroni
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Santini
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Lorenzon
authors: Enrica
authors: E
authors: Testa
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: D'Emidio
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: De Nictolis
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Muretto
authors: Stefano Luzi
authors: SL
authors: Fedeli
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Baldi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D000074289:High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000074289:High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1; C474012:HTRA1 protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D002945:Cisplatin