The relationship between single gene polymorphism and response to cisplatin and 5-FU treatment in patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Aim: Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide. The treatment process of head and neck cancers is classified as chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. In this study, the relationship of ERCC1, XRCC1 and MTHFR genes with treatment response was investigated. Material and Methods: In the study, 5 ml of blood was collected from the patients to investigate single nucleotide polymorphism, DNA was isolated and investigated by pyrosequencing method. Results: Patients were evaluated according to RECIST criteria; head and neck computed tomography scans were performed before treatment (4 weeks) and after every three cycles. The overall response rate (RR) was 10 (25%) PD, 7 (17.5%) SD, 9 (22.5%) PR, and 14 (35%) CR. Of the patients who presented with at least one polymorphic variant, four had PD, 3 had SD, 3 had PR and 1 had CR. Conclusion: In this study, the clinical behaviour of a group of head and neck carcinoma patients was retrospectively evaluated for association with three single nucleotide polymorphisms. These included C8092A in the ERCC1 gene, G28152A in the XRCC1 gene, and C677T and A1298C in the MTHFR gene.