Gene variations ‘could help predict lung cancer treatment response’

US scientists have identified genetic variants in non-small cell lung cancer patients that could help predict survival and treatment response rates.

Researchers from the Moffitt Cancer Center analysed DNA sequence variations in 651 patients, paying particular attention to 53 specific inflammation-related genes.

It was found that four of the top 15 variants associated with survival outcomes were located on one specific gene and increased the risk of death as much as 41 percent, particularly if their treatment plans included surgery without chemotherapy.

To date, there has been no published data examining the association of these four specific variants on cancer risk or outcome, making this new study potentially groundbreaking.

Study lead author Dr Matthew Schabath, assistant member of the cancer epidemiology programme at Moffitt, said: "Having a validated genetic biomarker based on inherited differences in our genes may allow physicians to determine the best treatments for an individual patient based on their unique genetics."

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in England and Wales, according to NHS data, with an estimated 40,800 new cases diagnosed every year.