Q787Q EGFR Polymorphism as a Prognostic Factor for Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

EGFR genetic polymorphisms have been investigated for carcinogenesis in various tumors including lung cancer. We evaluated EGFR mutations in four exons, with an emphasis on the Q787Q EGFR polymorphism in non-small-cell lung cancer.

To determine the presence of the Q787Q polymorphism in patients with lung cancer, we performed direct sequencing analyses of four exons for 83 squamous cell carcinomas and 80 adenocarcinomas untreated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

The Q787Q EGFR polymorphism was more frequently detected in squamous cell carcinoma patients than in adenocarcinoma patients (24 vs. 15.9%). The group of patients with the Q787Q EGFR polymorphism included more males and heavy smokers compared with other patient groups. The presence of the Q787Q EGFR polymorphism significantly and negatively affected the overall survival rate among patients with non-small-cell carcinoma (p = 0.011), particularly those with squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.037). Among stage I and II squamous cell carcinoma patients, those with the Q787Q EGFR polymorphism had a poor prognosis (p = 0.032).

The Q787Q EGFR polymorphism allows stratifying lung squamous cell carcinoma patients and could be an independent prognostic marker, particularly among those in stages I and II.