The prognostic value of excision repair cross-complementing Group 1 expression in nasopharyngeal cancer patients

• Main Authors: Imjai Chitapanarux, Suree Lekawanvijit, Patumrat Sripan, Pongsak Mahanupab, Somvilai Chakrabandhu, Wimrak Onchan, Pichit Sittitrai, Donyarat Boonlert, Hanpon Klibngern, Wisarut Samuckkeethum
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
• Subjects: excision repair cross-complementing group 1; nasopharyngeal cancer; prognostic factor
• Online Access: http://www.jmsjournal.net/article.asp?issn=1735-1995;year=2020;volume=25;issue=1;spage=34;epage=34;aulast=Chitapanarux
• ISSN: 1735-1995; 1735-7136

Background: Overexpression of excision repair cross-complementing Group 1 (ERCC-1) is related to cisplatin resistance and defective repair of radiation damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of excision (ERCC-1) expression in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with NPC between 2000 and 2013. The archived tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry to determine ERCC-1 expression. The ERCC-1 expression level along with other clinical factors and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess the risk. Results: The analysis of ERCC-1 expression was available in 262 NPC patients who had medical records at our hospital. Among those patients, 221 (84%) were treated with curative radiotherapy (RT)/concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 22 (7%) were treated with palliative RT alone, and 19 (9%) were given best supportive care. There was no correlation between ERCC-1 expression and stage of cancer or OS. No difference in 5-year OS was found between patients with low ERCC-1 expression and high ERCC-1 expression (38% vs. 36%; P = 0.981). The adjusted HR (aHR) of cancer death increased with cancer stage (aHR = 2.93 for advanced Stages III–IV; P = 0.001) and age (aHR = 2.11 for age >55; P ≤ 0.001). ERCC-1 expression exhibited no prognostic significance in our study (aHR = 1). Conclusion: In this study, ERCC-1 expression has no statistical significance to be considered a prognostic factor for OS among NPC patients. On the other hand, cancer stage, age, and types of treatment can be prognostic factors in NPC patients.