Expression of tumor heterogeneity-related genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its predictive value for chemotherapy sensitivity

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) and ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 (RRM1) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and the relationship between the expression of ERCC1 and RRM1 genes and chemotherapy sensitivity. Methods A total of 77 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma admitted in hospital from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2012 were recruited. ERCC1 and RRM1 mRNA levels in the cancerous tissue were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. The relationship between short-term effects of chemotherapy and ERCC1 and RRM1 mRNA levels was analyzed. Results Levels of mRNA in stages Ⅰa, Ⅰb, Ⅱa, and Ⅱb were (0.578±0.081), (0.560±0.084), (0.521±0.080), (0.464±0.091) for ERCC1 and( 0.511±0.089), (0.539±0.086), (0.584±0.092), (0.637±0.101 )for RRM1, respectively. As the clinical stage advanced, the ERCC1 mRNA level declined and the RRM1 mRNA level increased (t=2.679 and 2.952, P=0.034 and 0.025, respectively). Levels of mRNA in patients with complete remission, partial remission, stable disease and progressive disease were (0.487±0.097, 0.511±0.095, 0.552±0.086, 0.568±0.088)for ERCC1 and(0.504±0.091, 0.544±0.095, 0.595±0.093, 0.616±0.097)for RRM1, respectively. The clinical effect of chemotherapy was negatively correlated with mRNA expression of ERCC1 and RRM1 (r=0.567, P=0.032). Conclusions Levels of ERCC1 and RRM1 mRNA expression are correlated with the staging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and chemotherapy sensitivity, and can be used as a predictive parameter for chemotherapy sensitivity in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Key words: DNA-Repair; Esophageal neoplasms; Antineo plastic combined chemotherapy Protocols; Genes, tumor suppressor