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Updated: May 10, 2026
Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors
Published on: September 20, 2016
Analysis of intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations in mixed type lung adenocarcinoma
Nanae Tomonaga1, Yoichi Nakamura, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
Background:
Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations are predictive of the success of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in patients with advanced non--small-cell lung cancer. As with other solid tumors, lung cancer is thought to be the result of an accumulation of genetic alterations after exposure to carcinogens. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between multistep carcinogenesis and the accumulation of EGFR mutations.
Patients And Methods:
The intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations was analyzed in 38 patients with resected mixed-type lung adenocarcinoma according to histological patterns, and the clinical features of the patients harboring intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations were evaluated.
Results:
Intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations was detected in 9 of 38 tumors. EGFR mutations were more common in the bronchioloalveolar (lepidic) carcinoma pattern than in the papillary and acinar patterns, although this difference was not significant. However, there was a significant correlation between intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations and smoking history (P < .043).
Conclusion:
Intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations correlates with the distribution of histological subtype in mixed type adenocarcinoma and is associated with smoking history.
Insights
Intratumor heterogeneity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in lung cancer correlates with histological patterns and smoking history. This finding is crucial for understanding lung cancer development and treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations predict treatment success for EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
- Lung cancer development is linked to accumulated genetic alterations from carcinogen exposure, suggesting a multistep carcinogenesis process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between multistep carcinogenesis and the accumulation of EGFR mutations.
- To analyze intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations in relation to histological patterns and clinical features.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of EGFR mutation intratumor heterogeneity in 38 patients with resected mixed-type lung adenocarcinoma.
- Evaluation of clinical features in patients with EGFR mutation intratumor heterogeneity, stratified by histological patterns.
Main Results:
- Intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations was observed in 9 out of 38 tumors.
- EGFR mutations were more frequent in the lepidic pattern compared to papillary and acinar patterns, though not significantly.
- A significant correlation was found between EGFR mutation intratumor heterogeneity and smoking history (P < .043).
Conclusions:
- Intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutations is associated with the distribution of histological subtypes in mixed-type lung adenocarcinoma.
- EGFR mutation heterogeneity in lung adenocarcinoma is linked to a patient's smoking history.
