ERCC1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung and Esophageal Cancer

Objective: “Excision Repair Cross-Complementation Group 1” (ERCC1) enzyme is a vitally important basic protein required for DNA repair. Recent studies suggest that ERCC1 is involved in resistance to antracycline-based chemotherapy regimens. In this study, we aimed to analyze ERCC1 expression in lung and esophageal cancer patients. We also aimed to investigate the possible correlation between the ERCC1 expression levels and patient demographic information.

Materials and Methods: Twenty esophageal and 20 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients diagnosed between December 2009 and December 2010, via either endoscopic, bronchoscopic or tru-cut biopsy, were included in this study. The ERCC1 expression levels were analyzed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method in RNA samples extracted from pathological biopsy specimens. The patient demographic information was also recorded.

Results: There was no significant correlation between the ERCC1 expression level and demographic parameters, including the tumor, node, metastatis (TNM) staging, World Health Organization (WHO) grading, age, gender, hemoglobin level and albumin level, in the patient groups. The mean ERCC1 expression levels in the NSCLC and esophageal cancer patients were 0.71±0.85 and 0.62±0.78, respectively. The ERCC1 expression level was elevated in 15% of each patient group.

Conclusion: Analysis of the ERCC1 expression in NSCLC and esophageal cancer patients prior to chemotherapy would be useful for personalized chemotherapy regimens and would provide more accurate prognostic information for the patient.