Role of ERCC5 polymorphisms in non-small cell lung cancer risk and responsiveness/toxicity to cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the Chinese population

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy currently represents the main treatment option for patients with NSCLC. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the excision repair cross-complementing group 5 (ERCC5) gene on susceptibility to NSCLC, as well as the responsiveness to and toxicity of cisplatin chemotherapy. A total of 506 patients with NSCLC and 510 healthy controls were recruited for the present study. All DNA samples were genotyped by the Agena MassARRAY platform. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between ERCC5 polymorphisms with NSCLC susceptibility and responsiveness to chemotherapy. The rs4771436 TG-GG genotype was associated with increased NSCLC risk. When the data were stratified according to age, sex, tobacco smoking, body mass index and histological type, ERCC5 polymorphisms (rs2016073, rs4771436, rs11069498 and rs4150330) were associated with NSCLC risk. Furthermore, the A allele and GA-AA genotype of rs11069498 were related to the response to chemotherapy. ERCC5 (rs11069498 and rs4150330) polymorphisms were associated with the increased risk of toxicity. However, rs4771436 in ERCC5 gene was significantly correlated with the reduced risk of toxicity. These results suggested a potential relationship between ERCC5 polymorphisms, the risk of NSCLC and the sensitivity to cisplatin-based chemotherapy among Chinese populations.