1. ¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
2. ²Department of Oncology, University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
3. ³Biometrics Department, Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4. ⁴Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

Correspondence: DM Kweekel, E-mail: d.m.kweekel@lumc.nl

Received 11 July 2008; Accepted 12 August 2008; Published online 16 September 2008.

Abstract

A Valine residue at position 105 of the GSTP1 protein results in decreased enzyme activity. As nuclear GSTP1 activity decreases irinotecan cytotoxicity, Val-allele carriers may benefit more from irinotecan chemotherapy. Our aim was to investigate the association of GSTP1 genotype with treatment outcome of irinotecan. Progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity were determined in 267 metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients who were treated with first-line capecitabine (CAP) plus irinotecan (CAPIRI), or CAP single agent in a prospective randomised phase III trial (CAIRO). GSTP1 genotype was determined by Pyrosequencing. Patients receiving CAP showed a PFS of 6.6 (Ile/Ile), 6.0 (Ile/Val) and 6.5 months (Val/Val); compared to 7.0 (Ile/Ile), 8.8 (Ile/Val) and 9.2 months (Val/Val) with CAPIRI. Median PFS was 2.7 months longer in Val-allele carriers treated with CAPIRI compared to CAP (P=0.005). Patients with the Ile/Ile genotype showed similar PFS with CAPIRI and CAP (7.0 compared to 6.6 months, P=0.972). Toxicity did not differ significantly among genotypes. GSTP1 codon 105 polymorphism may be predictive for the response to irinotecan-based chemotherapy in patients with MCRC, with the Val-allele being associated with a better outcome. Ile/Ile genotype patients do not appear to benefit from the addition of irinotecan to CAP.