Genetic Navigation: A Narrative Review of XRCC1 Polymorphism Impact on Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Outcomes in NSCLC Patients

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for 85% of all cases, with a poor 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. The majority of NSCLC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, contributing to the low survival rate. Platinum-based chemotherapy, including cisplatin and carboplatin, remains the cornerstone of treatment for advanced NSCLC. However, DNA repair mechanisms often hinder treatment efficacy, notably Base Excision Repair (BER), mediated by the X-ray Repair Cross Complementing 1 (XRCC1) protein. This review aims to investigate the role of XRCC1 polymorphisms in platinum resistance, focusing on their impact on DNA repair efficiency. XRCC1’s involvement in the BER pathway is critical for repairing DNA damage caused by platinum agents, and polymorphisms in XRCC1 have been linked to altered repair capacity, influencing clinical outcomes and resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.