Class III β-tubulin in advanced NSCLC of adenocarcinoma subtype predicts superior outcome in a randomized trial

Adam Christian Vilmar, Eric Santoni-Rugiu, Jens Benn Sørensen

    36 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Purpose: Platinum-based doublets are the cornerstone of treatment in advanced non - small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and often include vinorelbine or taxanes. A predictive biomarker is greatly needed to select chemotherapy- sensitive patients for these microtubule-interfering agents. Class III β-tubulin (TUBB3) has been shown of value in NSCLC, but evidence is not uniform. Accordingly, we explored the predictive role of TUBB3 in advanced NSCLC. Experimental Design: Four hundred forty-three patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in a phase III trial and randomized to vinorelbine- or paclitaxel-containing chemotherapy. Immunohistochemical evaluation of TUBB3 status was mainly done on bioptic material and correlated to response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life (QOL), and toxicity. Results: Two hundred sixty-one (58.9%) patients had representative tissue samples for TUBB3 evaluation. Patients with TUBB3-negative adenocarcinomas had a significantly prolonged PFS and OS when compared with the opposite subgroup (7.87 vs. 6.83 months, P = 0.035 and 14.17 vs. 11.17 months, P = 0.018, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed an HR of 1.55 (95% CI, 1.04-2.31, P = 0.032) for TUBB3-positive adenocarcinoma patients. TUBB3-negative adenocarcinoma patients showed a mean QOL decline of -18.25 points (95% CI, -4.28 to -32.22, P = 0.013) as compared with -3.86 (95% CI, -7.0 to 15.52, P = 0.5). Conclusion: TUBB3 was of predictive value in adenocarcinoma patients in the largest, randomized advanced NSCLC population published to date. It may be clinically useful in conjunction with other biomarkers, but QOL information should be recorded during validation, as prophylactic intervention may be needed in specific subgroups at risk of toxicity.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalClinical Cancer Research
    Volume17
    Issue number15
    Pages (from-to)5205-14
    Number of pages10
    ISSN1078-0432
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2011

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Class III β-tubulin in advanced NSCLC of adenocarcinoma subtype predicts superior outcome in a randomized trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this