The K751Q polymorphism of XPD gene in lung cancer patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy

2500 Background: Cisplatin and derivatives represent the cornerstone drugs in lung cancer treatment. Nevertheless, treatment related toxicities are sometime relevant and survival is still limited. Platinum-based compounds act by forming DNA adducts and cross-links which are recognized and repaired through the NER repair pathway. The efficacy of platinum therapy may be affected by polymorphisms of the XPD protein, an essential participant in transcription-coupled repair. We have prospectively investigated the A>C Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) at exon 23, which results in a K751Q substitution, because of its high allele frequency and loss of functional activity. Methods: 196 consecutive lung cancer patients were prospectively enrolled: 82% males, 46% currently and 37% previous smokers, 82% non-small cell lung cancer. Among them, 128 out of 196 received cisplatin or derivatives, mainly in combination with gemcitabine. The control group was represented by 181 healthy medical students. As December 2003 ...