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The prognostic and predictive value of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) protein in 1288 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with platinum-based therapy: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) protein has been extensively investigated as a prognostic and predictive factor for platinum-based treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) but with inconsistent results. We performed the present meta-analysis to better elucidate this issue in advanced HNSCC. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The inclusion criteria were head and neck cancer patients with platinum-based treatment and evaluation of the correlation between ERCC1 expression and clinical outcomes [objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), both unadjusted and adjusted estimates]. In high vs. low pooled analyses, high ERCC1 expression was associated with unfavorable OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.95, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.18–3.21, p = 0.009], PFS (HR = 2.39, 95 % CI 1.74–3.28, p = 0.000) and ORR (odds ratio = 0.48, 95 % CI 0.23–0.98, p = 0.044). In the subgroup analysis of adjusted OS estimates, ERCC1 was a predictor of shorter survival in Asians (HR = 3.13, 95 % CI 2.09–4.70, p = 0.000) and Caucasians (HR = 2.02, 95 % CI 1.32–3.07, p = 0.001) but of longer survival in South Americans (HR = 0.17, 95 % CI 0.07–0.40, p = 0.000). Immunohistochemistry proved to be of predictive value irrespective of used antibody (p = 0.009). In the stratified analysis according to the tumor site, ERCC1 expression was associated with OS in nasopharyngeal cancer (HR = 2.72, 95 % CI 1.79–4.13, p = 0.000). ERCC1 has a potential to become predictive and prognostic factor enabling treatment tailoring in HNSCC patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, Zagreb, Croatia

    Vesna Bišof, Zoran Rakušić, Kristina Ruža Samardžić & Antonio Juretić

  2. School of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

    Vesna Bišof

  3. Institute for Anthropological Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, Zagreb, Croatia

    Matea Zajc Petranović

  4. School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Antonio Juretić

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  1. Vesna Bišof
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Bišof, V., Zajc Petranović, M., Rakušić, Z. et al. The prognostic and predictive value of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) protein in 1288 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with platinum-based therapy: a meta-analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 273, 2305–2317 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3710-x

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