Prediction of chemosensitivity using multigene analysis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Aims: The main purpose of the current study was to find predictive biomarkers that can be routinely used for the response to chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: From this standpoint, we selected the histoculture drug response assay (HDRA) to assess in vitro chemosensitivity, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to investigate the gene expression profile of individual tumors as available predictive biomarkers. Using both surgery and biopsy specimens, we analyzed their gene expression profiles using the 18 markers that we thought were likely predictors of the response to anti-cancer agents.

Results: Statistically significant associations were found between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity in HDRA and HER-2 mRNA expression level (p = 0.0030). Moreover, HER-2 expression was significantly associated with cisplatin sensitivity (p = 0.0089). Cisplatin sensitivity in HDRA was also demonstrated to have a significant association with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in which the group with cisplatin resistance tended to have a higher expression level than the sensitive group (p = 0.0385).

Conclusion: HER-2 and EGFR may be possible reliable predictive biomarkers for anti-cancer therapy, and might help in the decision-making process for individual patients with HNSCC.