title: TS mRNA levels can predict pemetrexed and raltitrexed sensitivity in colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study is to analyze the relationship between tumor thymidylate synthase (TS) mRNA expression levels and raltitrexed/pemetrexed/5-FU sensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected freshly removed colorectal tumor specimens from 50 patients. Chemosensitivities to anticancer drugs were evaluated by histoculture drug response assay. We adopted quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for TS mRNA detection and immunohistochemical staining for assessing TS expression in tumor tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is a significant relationship between TS mRNA expression levels and in vitro chemosensitivity of freshly removed colorectal tumor specimens to pemetrexed (P < 0.001)/raltitrexed (P = 0.004)/5-FU (P = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TS mRNA expression levels can predict pemetrexed and raltitrexed sensitivity in colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: The Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Lixia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Baorui
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wenxian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Xiaoping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qian
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005971:Glutamates; D011799:Quinazolines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase; C068874:raltitrexed; D005472:Fluorouracil