Predictive Value of Excision Repair Cross-Complementation Group 1 in the Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Esophageal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Platinum is widely used in the treatment of esophageal cancer. In clinical practice, it is significant to distinguish patients who respond to platinum from those who do not. Excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) is thought to be the key in the resistance to platinum. However, whether it is related to the platinum-based chemotherapy response on real esophageal cancer patients is controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to explore the association between ERCC1 polymorphisms, its expression levels and platinum-based chemotherapy response, and identify the most sensitive genotypes. Methods: The study was carried out according to the Cochrane handbook for systemic reviews of intervention. The study protocol has been registered on PROSPERO. Results: Three studies were included in the analysis of C8092A polymorphisms, 5 in the C118T, and another 6 in ERCC1 expression levels. In C118T polymorphisms, compared to wild genotype, patients with mutant genotypes had a significantly higher response rate. As for C8092A polymorphisms, the mutant genotypes also presented a better response than the wild genotype. The pooled analysis indicated a significantly higher response rate in patients with a low expression of ERCC1. Conclusions: ERCC1 is a valuable biomarker for platinum-based chemotherapy in esophageal cancer. Patients with ERCC1 mutations or low-level ERCC1 expression are more sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy.