Galectin-3 genetic variants are associated with platinum-based chemotherapy response and prognosis in patients with NSCLC

Aim To explore the association between the galectin-3 genetic polymorphisms and Platinum-based chemotherapy response as well as the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method Three hundred twenty patients with Stage III (A+B) or IV NSCLC were enrolled. A Platinum-based chemotherapy was given to each subjects and therapeutic effect was evaluated. The two galectin-3 genetic polymorphisms, namely, galectin-3 +191 A>C and +292 A>C, were genotyped. Results The polymorphic genotypes and the allele frequency of galectin-3 +191 A>C were not significantly different between responders and non-responders to chemotherapy. For galectin-3 +292 A>C, the AA genotype and A allele distribution were significantly higher in responders than in non-responders. Logistic regression analysis showed CC genotype of galectin-3 +292 presented higher risk of being non-responders compared with the AA genotype (OR=2.96, 95 % CI: 1.55-5.47; P<0.001). The overall survival in patients with AA genotype of galectin-3 +292 were significantly longer than in those with CC genotype (25.6 vs. 19.5 months, P=0.013). The hazard ratio for CC genotype of galectin-3 +292 was 2.43 (95 % CI: 2.03-3.98, compared with AA carriers, P=0.003). Conclusion The galectin-3 genetic polymorphisms of galectin-3 +292, rather than galectin-3 +191, were associated with the chemotherapy response and prognosis of NSCLC.