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Published on: May 27, 2016
Identifying EGFR mutations from SCLC patient plasma by mutant-enriched liquidchip technology
Hong-Yang Lu1, Zhen-Yi Lu2, Qiao-Yuan Cheng3
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis & Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, PRC.
Background:
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as erlotinib and gefitinib are targeted drugs for the kinase domain of EGFR. They are widely used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation and the L858R mutation in exon 21 comprise approximately 90% of the somatic mutations in NSCLC patients that respond to EGFR TKI. Several recent studies have also reported that small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with EGFR mutations responded to gefitinib. Further study, however, has been limited due to the difficulty obtaining tumor specimens from SCLC patients.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to explore the EGFR mutation status in SCLC patients by plasma analysis.
Material And Methods:
Plasma samples from SCLC patients were collected for mutant-enriched liquidchip (MEL) analysis to identify the EGFR mutations in exon 19 and 21.
Results:
The exon 19 deletion mutation was detected in one out of 35 patients (a female non-smoker). No exon 21 mutations were found.
Conclusions:
A prevalence of EGFR mutations in SCLC is rare, and occurs most frequently in females and nonsmokers.
Insights
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are rare in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This study found EGFR exon 19 deletion in one SCLC patient, suggesting mutations are infrequent in this cancer type.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) target EGFR mutations.
- EGFR mutations, specifically exon 19 deletions and L858R, are key in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment.
- Limited data exists on EGFR mutations in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) due to specimen acquisition challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of EGFR mutations in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients using plasma analysis.
- To identify specific EGFR mutations (exon 19 and 21) in SCLC patient plasma samples.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples were collected from SCLC patients.
- Mutant-enriched liquidchip (MEL) analysis was employed to detect EGFR mutations in exon 19 and 21.
Main Results:
- One case of EGFR exon 19 deletion was identified in 35 SCLC patients.
- No EGFR exon 21 mutations were detected in the study cohort.
- The identified mutation was in a female, non-smoking patient.
Conclusions:
- EGFR mutations are rare in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
- When present, EGFR mutations in SCLC appear more common in females and non-smokers.
- Plasma-based analysis offers a viable method for assessing EGFR mutation status in SCLC.
