Genes Correlated with Gemcitabine Efficacy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: Gemcitabine in combination with platinum improves survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of the study was to explore genes related to gemcitabine efficacy. Methods: The sensitivity of NSCLC cell lines to anticancer drugs was tested via MTT assay. Gene expression analysis was performed by cDNA microarray, and qRT-PCR was used for verification of the microarray results on highly sensitive genes. Fluorouracil (5-Fu) was used as the negative control of gemcitabine. Results: Gemcitabine-related and fluorouracil-related genes were pooled into different clusters. Genes negatively related to 5-Fu sensitivity were positively related to gemcitabine efficacy. Metallothionein, Cathepsin B, TIMP1 and Galectin-1 genes which were resisted to certain anticancer drugs were sensitive to gemcitabine (P<0.05). Conclusion: Metallothionein, Cathepsin B, TIMP1 and Galectin-1 can be considered as the predictors for gemcitabine sensitivity.