Expression of RRM1 and RRM2 as a novel prognostic marker in advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy

The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of BRCA1, RRM1, and RRM2 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received adjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 418 patients who underwent curative pulmonary resection were obtained between January 2007 and November 2009. The relative cDNA quantification for BRCA1, RRM1, and RRM2 was conducted using a fluorescence-based, real-time detection method, and beta-actin was used as a reference gene. The low expression of RRM1 and RRM2 significantly increased the platinum-based chemotherapy response (For RRM1: odds ratio (OR) = 2.09, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.38-3.18; For RRM2: OR = 1.64, 95 % CI = 1.09-2.48). The univariate analysis indicated that low expression of RRM1 attained a longer time to progression and overall survival time, with HR (95 % CI) of 0.50 (0.33-0.77) and 0.60 (0.39-0.92), respectively. Similarly, low expression of RRM2 had a longer time to progression and overall survival, with HR (95 % CI) of 0.57 (0.38-0.86) and 0.47 (0.31-0.71), respectively. In conclusion, low expression of RRM1 and RRM2 could be used to predict the treatment response to platinum-based chemotherapy and survival in NSCLC. The RRM1 and RRM2 could substantially contribute to the future design of individualized cancer treatment in NSCLC patients.