Comprehensive analysis of genomic alterations detected by next-generation sequencing-based tissue and circulating tumor DNA assays in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

e20534 Background: While tumor genotyping is the standard treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), spatial and temporal tumor heterogeneity and insufficient specimens can lead to limitations in the use of tissue-based sequencing. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fully encompasses tumor-specific sequence alterations and offers an alternative to tissue sample biopsies. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the frequency of multiple genomic alterations observed following ctDNA sequencing was similar to that observed following tissue sequencing in NSCLC. Methods: A total of 99 NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study, including 40 tissue and 59 plasma samples. All kinds of variants of oncogenic drivers in NSCLC were identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS) with Acornmed panel. Results: The frequencies of genetic alterations detected in ctDNA were significantly correlated to those detected via tissue profiling (Spearman’s r = 0.812, P = 0.022). Genomic data revealed significant mutual exclusivity between alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) and tumor protein 53 ( TP53; P = 0.020) and between those in EGFR and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS; P = 0.008), as well as potential mutual exclusivity between alterations in EGFR and Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 ( ERBB2; P = 0.059). Furthermore, the EGFR mutant allele frequency (MAF) was strongly correlated with the TP53 MAF in individual tumors (Spearman’s r = 0.773, P = 0.005), and there was a marked difference in the EGFR MAF between patients with and without the TP53 mutation (P = 0.001). Levels of the tumor serum marker CA242 in patients with ctDNA-detectable mutations were higher than those in patients without ctDNA-detectable mutations. Conclusions: This study provides a better understanding of the spectra of genomic alterations detected by tissue and plasma ctDNA assays in Chinese patients with NSCLC. The present data also highlights the importance of tissue and plasma ctDNA screening by NGS to guide personalized therapy and promote the clinical management of NSCLC patients.