BIM deletion polymorphism predicts survival in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer

Aim/Background

BIM gene is a member of the BCL-2 family, is involved in cell death. We explored the impact of BIM deletion polymorphism on treatment outcome of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

In the study, there were 166 patients who were diagnosed with advanced NSCLC in Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University from January 2008 to December 2011. BIM deletion was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slides. BIM deletion polymorphism was correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and chemotherapy treatment.

Results

In total, 20 of 166 patient samples (12%) had the BIM deletion polymorphism. Among 80 patients who received EGFR-TKIs, the median PFS and the objective response rate were 8.5 months and 30%, respectively, for those with the BIM deletion polymorphism versus 17 months (P = 0.019) and 65.7% (P =0.03), respectively, for those with wild-type BIM. Among 80 patients who received chemotherapies, the median PFS and the objective response rate were 4.5 months and 25%, respectively, for those with the BIM deletion polymorphism versus 5.5 months (P = 0.037) and 55.9% (P =0.045), respectively, for those with wild-type BIM. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BIM deletion was an independent indicator of shorter PFS.

Conclusions

The incidence of the Bim deletion polymorphism was approximately 12% in this study, and it was associated with a poor clinical response to EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC.

Clinical trial identification

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Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.