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Feasibility and Efficacy of Molecular Analysis-Directed Individualized Therapy in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

George Simon, Anupama Sharma, Xueli Li, Todd Hazelton, Frank Walsh, Charles Williams, Alberto Chiappori, Eric Haura, Tawee Tanvetyanon, Scott Antonia, Alan Cantor, Gerold Bepler

From the Program and Division of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL

Address reprint requests to Gerold Bepler, MD, PhD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, MRC-4W, Room 4046, 12902 Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL 33612-9497; e-mail: beplerg{at}moffitt.usf.edu

Purpose: The treatment of patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is based on clinical trials experience. Molecular characteristics that impact metabolism and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents are not used for decision making. Ribonucleotide reductase subunit 1 (RRM1) is crucial for nucleotide metabolism, and it is the dominant molecular determinant of gemcitabine efficacy. Excision repair cross-complementing group 1 gene (ERCC1), a component of the nucleotide excision repair complex, is important for platinum-induced DNA adduct repair. We hypothesized that selection of double-agent chemotherapy based on tumoral RRM1 and ERCC1 expression would be feasible and beneficial for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective phase II clinical trial in patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients were required to have a dedicated tumor biopsy for determination of RRM1 and ERCC1 gene expression by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Double-agent chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin, gemcitabine, docetaxel, and vinorelbine was selected based on gene expression. Disease response and patient survival were monitored.

Results: Eighty-five patients were registered, 75 had the required biopsy without significant complications, 60 fulfilled all eligibility criteria, and gene expression analysis was not feasible in five patients. RRM1 expression ranged from 0 to 1,637, ERCC1 expression ranged from 1 to 8,103, and their expression was correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.46; P < .01). Disease response was 44%. Overall survival was 59% and progression-free survival was 14% at 12 months, with a median of 13.3 and 6.6 months, respectively.

Conclusion: Therapeutic decision making based on RRM1 and ERCC1 gene expression for patients with advanced NSCLC is feasible and promising for improvement in patient outcome.

Supported by Grant No. R21 CA106616 from the National Cancer Institute and by grants from Sanofi-aventis and Eli Lilly & Co.

Terms in blue are defined in the glossary, found at the end of this article and online at www.jco.org.

Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest and author contributions are found at the end of this article.

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  JCO 2007 25: 2648-2649 [Full Text]

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