Identification of polymorphic variants associated with erlotinib-related skin toxicity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients by DMET microarray analysis

Purpose Erlotinib is a targeted agent commonly used in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). However, drug-related skin toxicity often may affect the quality of life of cancer patients and lead to treatment discontinuation. Genetic polymorphisms in drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes play a major role in the interindividual variability in terms of efficacy and toxicity of erlotinib treatment. The aim of our study was to identify genetic determinants in adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion genes influencing skin rash (SR) by the novel drug-metabolizing enzyme and transporter (DMET) microarray Affymetrix platform in aNSCLC patients. Methods In a retrospective study, 34 erlotinib-treated aNSCLC patients were genotyped by DMET Plus chip: 23patients experienced SR (cases), while 11 patients did not (controls). Peripheral blood DNA was genotyped. Genotype association was analyzed by Fisher’s exact test, and the toxicity-associated gene sets underwent Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA)®. Results Seven SNPs in six genes (CYP27B1, MAT1A1, CHST1, CYP4B1, ADH6, and SLC22A1) were associated with the occurrence of SR or with a protective effect. Specifically, the rs8176345 in CYP27B1 gene was significantly correlated with SR (p = 0.0003, OR 55.55, 95 % CI 2.7036–1141.1707). The IPA on SR-related genes highlighted the role of a variety of canonical pathways including 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 biosynthesis, S-adenosyll- methionine biosynthesis, and methionine degradation I (to homocysteine) in SR development. Conclusion Although exploratory, this study indicates rs8176345 in CYP27B1 gene as significantly correlated with erlotinib-induced SR in aNSCLC patients probably through a mechanism mediated by vitamin D3 and inflammation at skin level.