Impact Of TUBB3, TS And ERCC1MRNA Expression On Chemoresponse And Clinical Outcome Of Advanced Gastric Cancer

Objective:The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of TUBB3, TS and ERCC1mRNA expression in tumors on chemoresponse and clinical outcome of patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with DCF regimen chemotherapy.Methods:The study population consisted of48advanced gastric cancer patients. All patients were treated with DCF regimen (TXT/CDDP/5-FU) palliative chemotherapy. The mRNA expressions of TUBB3, TS and ERCC1of primary tumors were examined by multiplex branched-DNA liquidchip technology.Results:1. The patients with low TUBB3mRNA expression had higher response rate to chemotherapy than patients with high TUBB3expression (P=0.011). There were no significant differences between response rate and TS or ERCC1expression pattern.2. Median overall survival (OS) and median time to progression (TTP) were significantly longer in patients with low TUBB3mRNA expression (P=0.002; P<0.001). TS or ERCC1expression were not correlated with TTP and OS.3. In the combined analysis including TUBB3, TS and ERCC1, the patients with0or1high expression gene had better response rate, TTP and OS than did the remaining patients (P=0.001; P<0.001; P<0.001).4. Multivariate analysis revealed that TUBB3mRNA expression significantly impacted on OS (HR=2.34, P=0.036).Conclusions:1. High TUBB3mRNA expression was correlated with resistance to DCF regimen chemotherapy. TUBB3might behave as a predictive and prognostic factor in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with TXT-based chemotherapy.2. The combined evaluation of TUBB3, TS and ERCC1expression could promote the individual treatment in advanced gastric cancer.