Class III Beta-tubulin Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Predictive Factor for Paclitaxel Response

• Published in: Anticancer research 2015-05, Vol.35 (5), p.2669-2674
• Main Authors: Ohashi, Takuya, Yoshimasu, Tatsuya, Oura, Shoji, Kokawa, Yozo, Kawago, Mitsumasa, Hirai, Yoshimitsu, Miyasaka, Miwako, Aoishi, Yuka, Kiyoi, Megumi, Nishiguchi, Haruka, Honda, Mariko, Okamura, Yoshitaka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor - biosynthesis; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - genetics; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology; Disease-Free Survival; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm - genetics; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - drug effects; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paclitaxel - administration & dosage; Prognosis; Tubulin - biosynthesis; Tubulin - genetics
• ISSN: 1791-7530

In order to clarify whether class III beta-tubulin (TUBB3) is a predictive marker for paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy, chemosensitivity was examined using an in vitro drug sensitivity assay. Twelve specimens from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were obtained for dose-response curve analysis and measurement of the half-maximal effective dose (ED50) of PTX using the histoculture drug response assay (HDRA). Forty-one specimens were evaluated using the HDRA and the inhibition ratio (IR) at a concentration of 25 μg/ml PTX (IR25) was measured. TUBB3 expression was evaluated by H-score in immunohistochemical staining. The ED50 of PTX was 24.5 ± 8.06 μg/ml. The median H-score was significantly higher (p=0.0076) in the high effective dose (HE)-group (ED50 >25 μg/ml) than in the low effective (LE)-group (ED50 ≤ 25 μg/ml). The mean IR25 was 53.8 ± 26.6%. The median H-score for the high-inhibition ratio (HI)-group (IR25 >50%) was significantly higher (p=0.0337) than the low-inhibition ratio (LI)-group (IR25 ≤ 50%). High TUBB3 expression in NSCLC appeared to correlate with lower PTX sensitivity.