Based on the analysis here, our data suggested that ERCC1 expression might be affected by rs3212986 polymorphism via the regulation of miR‐15a, which helps to partially explain the higher sensitivity to platinum‐based chemotherapeutics in NSCLC patients carrying rs3212986 CC genotype due to a lower expression level of ERCC1 mediated by miR‐15a. This evidence concerns the gene ERCC1 and non-small cell lung carcinoma.