Validation of RRM1 and PTEN as prognostic parameters of outcome in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

7154 Background: RRM1 has important functions in determination of the malignant phenotype. It controls cell proliferation through deoxynucleotide production and metastatic propensity through PTEN induction. It is located in a region of loss of heterozygosity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is a predictor of poor survival. We hypothesized that RRM1 expression would be a significant predictor of outcome in NSCLC. Methods: A retrospective dataset of 49 patients and a prospective dataset of 77 patients with resectable NSCLC were studied. RNA was extracted from tumor and normal lung tissue, and expression of the genes RRM1, PTEN, and RRM2 was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: RRM1 expression was significantly correlated with PTEN and RRM2 expression in both tumor and normal lung tissue. RRM1 and PTEN expression in tumor tissue were highly predictive of overall (p=0.011 and 0.018) and disease-free survival (p=0.002 and 0.026). Patients with high levels of expr...