Polymorphisms in the apoptotic pathway gene BCL-2 and survival in small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: We investigated the single-nucleotide polymorphism C-938A in the apoptotic gene BCL-2 to assess the potential impact as a genetic marker for response to chemotherapy and outcome prediction in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Such a marker might help optimize lung cancer treatment in a tailored approach.

Methods: DNA derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes of 188 Caucasian SCLC patients treated at the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg was genotyped.