[Class III beta tubulin expression in nonsmall cell lung cancer]

Abstract

Introduction: Several investigators have addressed the relationship between expression of class III beta-tubulin and outcome in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with tubulin-binding agents (TBA).

State of art: High expression of class III beta-tubulin has been found to be correlated with low response rates and reduced survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with taxane/vinorelbine--containing regimens. Two studies have shown that patients receiving paclitaxel whose tumours expressed high levels of class III beta-tubulin had a lower response rate and shorter survival, whereas this variable was not found to be predictive in patients receiving regimens without TBA. Conversely, analysis of samples from operable NSCLC patients in the JBR-10 trial showed that cisplatin/vinorelbine chemotherapy seemed to overcome the negative prognostic effect of high class III beta-tubulin expression and that the greatest benefit from chemotherapy was observed in patients with high class III beta-tubulin expression.

Perspectives: In advanced NSCLC, high betaIII tubulin expression may prompt selection of taxane-free regimens as the preferred initial treatment approach. The epothilones may fulfil such a role in the treatment of NSCLC.

Conclusions: betaIII tubulin expression is emerging as a valuable biomarker for taxane resistance in advanced disease, as well as offering prognostic information for outcomes among patients with earlier stage disease.