EGFR Mutations and Lung Cancer Treatment Response
Author Information
Author(s): Trevor J Pugh, Gwyn Bebb, Lorena Barclay, Margaret Sutcliffe, John Fee, Chris Salski, Robert O'Connor, Cheryl Ho, Nevin Murray, Barbara Melosky, John English, Jeurgen Vielkind, Doug Horsman, Janessa J Laskin, Marco A Marra
Primary Institution: Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
Hypothesis
Does the presence of EGFR mutations or increased copy number of EGFR and HER2 correlate with gefitinib response in lung cancer patients?
Conclusion
Neither mutation of EGFR nor increased copy number of EGFR or HER2 was diagnostic of response to gefitinib in this cohort.
Supporting Evidence
- Five tumors had mutations previously correlated with response.
- Increased gene copy number was observed in thirteen tumors.
- No correlation was found between response and EGFR mutations or increases in EGFR or HER2 copy number.
Takeaway
This study looked at lung cancer patients to see if certain gene changes could predict how well they would respond to a drug called gefitinib, but found that these changes didn't help predict the response.
Methodology
The study involved reviewing patient samples for EGFR mutations and assessing gene copy numbers using PCR and FISH techniques.
Limitations
The small sample size may limit the statistical power to detect significant correlations.
Participant Demographics
The cohort included 59% females, 44% of Asian descent, and 31% non-smokers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0889 for exon 19 mutations, p = 0.552 for EGFR copy number, p = 0.437 for HER2 copy number.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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