The homogeneity of EGFR mutations in NSCLC
The impact of homogenous EGFR mutations on tumor response1
Multiple studies have confirmed the higher frequency of homogenous EGFR mutations expressed in patients with NSCLC.1,2
One study concluded that 11 out of 12 patients showed homogenous EGFR mutations across all histological patterns.1 Another study demonstrated that only 29.4% of patients who developed EGFR TKI resistance exhibited heterogenous mutations.2 The same study also concluded that heterogeneity of EGFR mutations may explain mixed response to EGFR TKI therapy.2
Most patients with the known EGFR-activating mutations respond well to first-line EGFR TKIs,
with tumor response rates between 52–82% observed in studies.2
Mixed response and progression may be explained by heterogeneity in the EGFR mutation status between the primary lung tumors and their metastases1,2
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EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung cancer; TKI: tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
- Marino FZ, et al. Intratumor heterogeneity of ALK-rearrangements and homogeneity of EGFR mutations in nixed lung adenocarcinoma. PLoS One. 2015;10:e0139264.
- Chen ZY, et al. EGFR mutation heterogeneity and the mixed response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors of lung adenocarcinomas. Oncologist. 2012;17:978–85.