Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Analyzed for EGFR: Adherence to Guidelines, Prevalence and Outcome

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) analysis is the first molecular test introduced in the routine care of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we describe the prevalence of EGFR mutations and the adherence to testing and treatment guidelines in a population-based Swedish NSCLC cohort.

Patients with NSCLC analyzed for EGFR mutations were identified and their characteristics and survival data were retrieved. We compared the study cohort to a matched lung cancer population.

The EGFR mutation frequency was 10%. Mutations were enriched in women and in adenocarcinoma cases. Out of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC with non-squamous histology, only 49% were referred for EGFR analysis. Out of the patients with EGFR mutation and advanced disease, only 38% received EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in first-line therapy.

The EGFR-mutated NSCLC population studied is similar to other Western populations. Surprisingly, a large proportion of patients were not referred for EGFR analysis. Out of the patients with EGFR mutation, fewer than 40% received EGFR-TKI as first-line treatment. Our results highlight the need for follow-up of treatment and diagnostic algorithms in routine healthcare.