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ERCC1 and XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms Predict Response to Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy in Esophageal Cancer

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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Introduction

Neoadjuvant treatment strategies have been developed to improve survival of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Since only patients with major histopathological response benefit from this therapy, predictive markers are needed. We examined a panel of selected gene polymorphisms to predict response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, 36 Gy) in esophageal cancer patients.

Materials and method

Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues of 52 patients. Allelic genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction using allele-specific TaqMan probes and correlated with therapy response.

Results

Single-nucleotide polymorphism ERCC1 C118T was predictive for therapy response (p < 0.003). Within the TT genotype group of 25 patients, 20 (80%) did not respond to chemoradiation. Of 20 patients with heterogeneous C/T genotype, 14 (70%) were major responders. The CC genotype (seven patients) was not of predictive importance. ERCC1 polymorphism was significantly (p < 0.02) associated with formation of lymph node metastases. Predominant GG genotype of XRCC1 A194G was not predictive; however, the rarely occurring AA genotype was response-associated and the A/G variant was associated with nonresponse. Fifteen additionally analyzed polymorphisms did not show any correlation.

Conclusion

Our data support the role of ERCC1 as a predictive marker for therapy response. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of ERCC1 and XRCC1 could be applied to further individualize treatment strategies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Michaela Heitmann, Susanne Neiss, and Stephanie Schreckenberg for their excellent technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General, Visceral, and Cancer Surgery, Center for Integrated Oncology, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Ute Warnecke-Eberz, Daniel Vallböhmer, Hakan Alakus, Fabian Kütting, Georg Lurje, Elfriede Bollschweiler, Anke Wienand-Dorweiler, Arnulf H. Hölscher & Ralf Metzger

  2. Institute of Pathology, Center for Integrated Oncology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Uta Drebber

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  1. Ute Warnecke-Eberz
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  2. Daniel Vallböhmer
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Correspondence to Ute Warnecke-Eberz.

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Warnecke-Eberz, U., Vallböhmer, D., Alakus, H. et al. ERCC1 and XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms Predict Response to Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy in Esophageal Cancer. J Gastrointest Surg 13, 1411–1421 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0881-z

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