Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion genes represent novel oncogenes that are associated with non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The feasibility of detecting EGFR mutations and ALK fusion genes in small biopsy specimens or surgical specimens was determined. Of the 721 NSCLC patients, a total of 305 cases were positive for EGFR mutations (42.3%). The rate of EGFR mutations in women was significantly higher than that in men. Histologically, the EGFR mutation rate in adenocarcinomas was significantly higher than that in squamous cell carcinomas. No difference in the EGFR mutation rate was observed between surgical specimens (42.1%) and small biopsy specimens (42.4%), which indicated that the EGFR mutation ratios in surgical specimens and small biopsy specimens were not different. In 385 NSCLC patients, 26 cases were positive for EML4-ALK (6.8%). However, 11.7% of the surgical specimens were EML4-ALK-positive, whereas the positive proportion in the small biopsy specimens was only 4.7%, which indicated that EML4-ALK-positive rate in the surgical specimens was significantly higher than that in the small biopsy specimens. Detection of EGFR gene mutations was feasible in small biopsy specimens, and screening for EML4-ALK expression in small biopsy specimens can be used to guide clinical treatments.
Highlights
The global cancer burden is growing at an alarming rate, which drives an urgent need for the implementation of effective prevention strategies
Samples from a total of 721 non– small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) patients evaluated for Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations
anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements are associated with resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)
Summary
The global cancer burden is growing at an alarming rate, which drives an urgent need for the implementation of effective prevention strategies. Lung cancer is one of the most critical types [1]. The 5-year relative survival rate of lung cancer patients is gradually improving due to improvements in treatment. In China, lung cancer is the most common incident cancer and the leading of cancer death [2]. Lung cancer is classified by histological criteria into non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which consists of three main subtypes (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma), and small cell lung carcinoma. Rare subtypes include glandular tumors, carcinoid tumors, and undifferentiated carcinomas
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