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Immunohistochemical expression of glutathione S‐transferase‐π can predict chemotherapy response in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Author(s) -
Bai Fen,
Nakanishi Yoichi,
Kawasaki Masayuki,
Takayama Koichi,
Yatsunami Jun,
Pei Xin Hai,
Tsuruta Nobuko,
Wakamatsu Kentaro,
Hara Nobuyuki
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19960801)78:3<416::aid-cncr6>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - medicine , immunohistochemistry , lung , carcinoma , chemotherapy , glutathione s transferase , oncology , pathology , glutathione , cancer research , enzyme , biology , biochemistry
BACKGROUND Resistance to chemotherapy agents is a major problem in the treatment of patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Recent studies have indicated that glutathione S‐transferase‐π (GST‐π) may play an important role in the resistance of cancer cells to alkylating agents, including cisplatin compounds. METHODS The expression of GST‐π in tissues obtained by bronchoscopic biopsy from 38 NSCLC patients was investigated immunohistochemically. These patients were treated with a combination of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy and were evaluated to determine the relationship between GST‐π expression and chemotherapy response. RESULTS Of the 38 patients, 25 (66%) were GST‐π‐positive and 13 (34%) were negative. There was no significant correlation between GST‐π expression and the clinicopathologic factors examined (age, sex, performance status, histology, differentiation grade, and stage). Of the 38 patients treated with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy, 12 patients responded to chemotherapy (overall response rate, 32%). For the patients with negative GST‐π expression, the response rate was 69% (9 of 13 patients). In the patients with positive GST‐π expression, the response rate was 12% (3 of 25 patients). This difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS The expression of GST‐π in NSCLC patients was significantly related to response to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy, and may be a useful predictor of chemotherapy response. Cancer 1996;78;416‐21.