Multiplex Real-time PCR for RRM1, XRCC1, TUBB3 and TS mRNA for Prediction of Response of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer to Chemoradiotherapy

Background: This study was aimed to establish a novel method to simultaneously detect expression of fourgenes, ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1(RRM1), X-ray repair cross-complementing gene 1 (XRCC1),thymidylate synthase (TS) and class III β-tubulin (TUBB3), and to assess their application in the clinic forprediction of response of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to chemoradiotherapy. Materials and
Methods:We have designed four gene molecular beacon (MB) probes for multiplex quantitative real-time polymerasechain reactions to examine RRM1, XRCC1, TUBB3 and TS mRNA expression in paraffin-embedded specimensfrom 50 patients with advanced or metastatic carcinomas. Twenty one NSCLC patients receiving cisplatinbasedfirst-line treatment were analyzed.
Results: These molecular beacon probes could specially bind to theirtarget genes in homogeneous solutions. Patients with low RRM1 and XRCC1 mRNA levels were found to haveapparently higher response rates to chemoradiotherapy compared with those with high levels of RRM1 andXRCC1 expression (p<0.05). The TS gene expression level was not significantly associated with chemotherapyresponse (p>0.05).
Conclusions: A method of simultaneously detecting four molecular markers was successfullyestablished and applied for evaluation of chemoradiotherapy response. It may be a useful tool in personalizedcancer therapy.