Purpose: The role of pharmacogenetics in chemotherapy response in colon carcinoma is controversial. We studied the value of known SNPs in genes involved in 5-FU metabolism as biomarkers of chemotherapy response in patients with stage III colon carcinoma.
Methods: DNA was isolated from normal colonic tissue of 60 patients with stage III colon carcinoma treated adjuvantly with 5-FU combined with leucovorin. The tested SNPs were validated SNPs on the OPRT, TYMS and DPYD genes and a synonymous SNP on the TYMP gene. Real-time PCR, sequencing and RFLP were used for genotyping.
Results: None of the studied genotypes was associated with any of the tumor or patient characteristics. Moreover, none of the genotypes studied had effect on patient survival.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the tested SNPs are not biomarkers of chemotherapy response in our stage III colon cancer patients group.