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Updated: May 22, 2026
Ultra-Fast Amplicon-Based Next-Generation Sequencing in Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
[Mutation testing for non-small-cell lung cancer]
Odd Terje Brustugun1, Åslaug Helland, Lars Fjellbirkeland
1Avdeling for kreftbehandling, Oslo universitetssykehus, Radiumhospitalet, Norway. otr@ous-hf.no
Background:
Epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) are a relatively new class of drugs for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. The national professional group for lung cancer, The Norwegian Lung Cancer Group, recommends that patients with non-small-cell lung cancer are tested for mutations in the EGFR gene. Here, we report the experience collected after the introduction of such testing in Norway in 2010.
Material And Method:
Information on the number of patients tested, gender distribution, histopathological data and analysis results have been collected from the molecular-pathology laboratories at the university hospitals in Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo for the period from May 2010 to May 2011.
Results:
During this period, altogether 1,058 patients with lung cancer were tested for mutations in the EGFR gene, equal to approximately half of all those who were diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer. A mutation was detected in 123 patients (11.6 per cent). There was a higher proportion of mutation-positive women than men (17.6 per cent, compared to 6.3 per cent, p < 0.001), and a lower proportion with squamous cell carcinoma than for other histopathological subtypes (3.0 per cent, compared to 12.9 per cent, p < 0.001). Of a total of 80 cytological tests, nine (11.3 per cent) were positive.
Interpretation:
In light of the relatively high mutation frequency and a considerable number of positives in the group with squamous cell carcinoma, we recommend to continue the practice of mutation-testing all patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.
Insights
EGFR mutation testing in non-small cell lung cancer identified mutations in 11.6% of patients. Testing is recommended for all non-small cell lung cancer patients due to high mutation frequency.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Genetics
Background:
- Epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent a novel treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- The Norwegian Lung Cancer Group advocates for EGFR mutation testing in NSCLC patients.
- This study details Norway's experience with EGFR mutation testing introduced in 2010.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial experience and outcomes of EGFR mutation testing in Norway.
- To assess the frequency and characteristics of EGFR mutations in Norwegian NSCLC patients.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from molecular-pathology laboratories at four Norwegian university hospitals (May 2010-May 2011).
- Included patient numbers, gender distribution, histopathological data, and EGFR mutation analysis results.
- 1,058 lung cancer patients were tested for EGFR gene mutations.
Main Results:
- A total of 1,058 NSCLC patients underwent EGFR mutation testing, representing approximately 50% of diagnosed cases.
- EGFR mutations were detected in 11.6% of patients (123 out of 1,058).
- Mutation positivity was significantly higher in women (17.6%) than men (6.3%) and lower in squamous cell carcinoma (3.0%) compared to other subtypes (12.9%).
Conclusions:
- The study found a notable frequency of EGFR mutations in Norwegian NSCLC patients.
- A significant proportion of mutations were observed in non-squamous cell carcinoma subtypes.
- Continued EGFR mutation testing for all NSCLC patients is recommended based on these findings.
