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Updated: Aug 17, 2025

Establishment and Characterization of Three Afatinib-resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma PC-9 Cell Lines Developed with Increasing Doses of Afatinib
Published on: June 26, 2019
Non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR (L858R and E709X) and CNNB1 mutations responded to afatinib
Michihiro Kunishige1, Seiya Ichihara1, Naoki Kadota1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kochi Hospital, Kochi city, Kochi, Japan.
Abstract:
Lung cancer with complex epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CTNNB1 comutations is rare, and the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is generally poor. Here, we encountered a lung cancer patient with complex EGFR (L858R and E709X) and CTNNB1 comutations who successfully responded to afatinib. A 78-year-old woman visited our hospital with a cough and bloody sputum that had worsened over the past year. She had multiple mass shadows in both lungs and nodular shadows in the bronchi. The patient was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma cT4N3M1c stage IVB. A genetic analysis of the primary tumor using the Oncomine Dx target test multi-CDx system revealed positivity for EGFR (L858R and E709X) and CTNNB1 mutations. The expression of programmed death ligand 1 (22C3 clones) in tumor cells was negative by immunostaining. The patient was treated with afatinib as first-line therapy and achieved clinical improvement and a partial response and is continuing treatment 1 year later. Case reports of lung cancer patients with EGFR/CTNNB1 comutations are rare, and TKIs are not considered to be effective. We herein present the first case report of lung cancer with the co-occurrence of uncommon and complex EGFR (L858R and E709X) and CTNNB1 mutations that was successfully treated with afatinib.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of lung cancer with complex epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CTNNB1 mutations. The patient achieved a partial response to afatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lung adenocarcinoma with complex mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CTNNB1 is uncommon.
- The efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in such cases is generally considered poor.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old female patient with stage IVB lung adenocarcinoma presented with cough and bloody sputum.
- Genetic analysis revealed complex EGFR mutations (L858R and E709X) and CTNNB1 mutations.
- Programmed death ligand 1 expression was negative.
Findings:
- The patient received afatinib as first-line therapy.
- Afatinib treatment resulted in clinical improvement and a partial response.
- The patient continues to respond to treatment after 1 year.
Implications:
- This case suggests afatinib may be effective in treating lung cancer with complex EGFR and CTNNB1 comutations.
- Highlights the potential of targeted therapy in rare genetic profiles of lung cancer.
- Encourages further investigation into TKI efficacy for uncommon mutation combinations.
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