Abstract Objective This study aims to assess the role of polymorphisms in DNA repair genes, excision repair cross-complementation group 1 ( ERCC1 ) and methyl-methanesulfonate sensitivity 19 ( MMS19 ), in tumor response to platinum-based chemotherapy and survival in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed on the paraffin-embedded tumor tissue of women with advanced EOC, treated with platinum-based chemotherapy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Polymorphisms from two ERCC1 (codon-118 and C8092A) and three MMS19 (rs2211243, rs2236575 and rs872106) gene loci were evaluated by real time PCR Allelic Discrimination Assay. Results Genotyping was performed in 107 patients, 45 platinum-sensitive and 62 platinum-resistant. ERCC1 , codon-118 and C8092A genotyping was evaluable in 98 and 106 patients respectively and in all 107 patients for MMS19 polymorphisms. No differences were observed in genotype between platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant patients. Polymorphisms in the ERCC1 , codon-118 and MMS19 genes did not correlate with overall survival (OS), although a trend toward improved progression free survival (PFS) was observed in patients expressing the minor (GG) alleles of the rs872106 MMS19 gene. Women homozygous for the ERCC1 -C8092A minor (AA) alleles had a significant increase in PFS compared to AC and CC patients and both AA and AC genotypes conferred improved survival over the major (CC) genotype. Conclusions Polymorphisms in ERCC1 , codon-118 and MMS19 genes are not associated with clinical response to platinum or survival. The ERCC1 -C8092A genotypes containing an “A” allele were associated with significant improvement in PFS and OS strengthening the value of this specific genotype in survival.