Association of ATP7A expression and in vitro sensitivity to cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer.

Expression of copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase A (ATP7A) is reportedly associated with platinum drug resistance in various types of solid tumors. However, the impact of ATP7A expression on platinum drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has yet to be adequately elucidated. In vitro cisplatin (CDDP) sensitivity was investigated using the collagen gel-droplet embedded culture drug sensitivity test, and the ATP7A mRNA expression levels were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in surgically resected specimens of NSCLC. The relationship between the ATP7A expression levels and the in vitro CDDP sensitivity was then evaluated. The ATP7A mRNA expression levels in the CDDP-resistant tumors were significantly higher than those in the CDDP-sensitive tumors (p=0.0167, Mann-Whitney U test). In conclusion, the results suggest that evaluation of ATP7A expression is useful as a marker for cisplatin chemoresistance.