Thymidylate synthase protein expression: Association with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection for locally advanced gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

These preliminary results indicate that a response to neoadjuvant fluorouracil-based therapy may be associated with decreased levels of total thymidylate synthase before therapy and free thymidylate synthase after exposure to fluorouracil in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Quantification of thymidylate synthase protein expression before and after exposure to fluorouracil may provide a method to select patients for fluorouracil therapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or advanced-disease setting based upon the fundamental sensitivity of the tumor.