EGFR Mutation Analysis for Prospective Patient Selection in Two Phase II Registration Studies of Osimertinib

Suzanne Jenkins1, James Chih-Hsin Yang2, Pasi A Jänne3

  • 1AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Insights

The Roche cobas EGFR Mutation Test detected the T790M mutation in 63% of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, regardless of ethnicity or prior EGFR TKI treatment. This test showed high accuracy compared to next-generation sequencing.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Osimertinib is an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for EGFR T790M-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Evaluating EGFR mutation frequencies is crucial for optimizing targeted therapies in NSCLC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess EGFR T790M mutation frequencies in patients with advanced NSCLC within two Phase II studies of osimertinib (AURA extension and AURA2).
  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Roche cobas EGFR Mutation Test for T790M detection against a next-generation sequencing reference method.

Main Methods:

  • Tumor samples from patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC, after disease progression, were tested for T790M mutation using the Roche cobas EGFR Mutation Test.
  • The cobas test results were compared with those obtained from the Illumina MiSeq next-generation sequencing system, used as the reference standard.
  • Patient selection for the studies required mandatory central T790M testing, but prescreening for T790M status was not permitted.

Main Results:

  • A total of 324 and 373 patients' samples yielded valid cobas test results in the AURA extension and AURA2 studies, respectively.
  • The T790M detection rate was consistent across both studies, with a pooled rate of 63%.
  • Detection rates were similar across ethnicities and unaffected by prior EGFR TKI treatment (afatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib). A higher T790M detection rate was observed in patients with EGFR exon 19 deletions compared to L858R mutations (73% vs. 58%).
  • The cobas test demonstrated high sensitivity (91% positive percent agreement) and specificity (97% negative percent agreement) compared to next-generation sequencing.

Conclusions:

  • The T790M mutation was detected in approximately 63% of advanced NSCLC patients across both trials.
  • The detection rate was not influenced by ethnicity or the specific EGFR TKI used in prior therapy.
  • The Roche cobas EGFR Mutation Test proved to be a sensitive and specific method for T790M detection in this patient population.