Background: Polymorphisms within the P1 isoenzyme of GST (GSTP1) are associated with alterations in enzyme activity and may change sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy. We investigated the relationship between exon 5 and exon 6 GSTP1 gene polymorphisms and treatment response, hematological, and nonhematological toxicity and overall survival for patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Between 2001 and 2002, 108 patients with chemotherapy-naïve advanced NSCLC were recruited. Associations between the GSTP1 polymorphisms (Ile105Val, Thr110Ser, Ala114Val, and Asp 147Tyr) and GSTP1*A, *B, and *C haplotypes and treatment response and toxicity were evaluated using the Pearson chi and Kruskal-Wallis tests, respectively. Associations with survival were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard ratios.
Results: No significant associations were noted between GSTP1 polymorphisms and treatment response or survival. Significantly less neutropenic toxicity was demonstrated for patients possessing the 105Val allele (p = 0.020) or the GSTP1*B haplotype (p = 0.038). However, the variant allele GSTP1 105Val, and patients possessing a GSTP1*B allele demonstrated notable trends toward inferior response and survival.
Conclusions: GSTP1 haplotype can be used to stratify hematological toxicity after platinum-based chemotherapy, but the lack of significant associations with response or survival suggests that GSTP1 polymorphisms may not be strong pharmacogenomic markers in this population. Additional large prospective studies incorporating the GSTP1 haplotype may clarify the reported discrepancies.