Original Article
Plasma relative abundance of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations predicts clinical response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma
Xu Hanyan, Lai Qianqian, Su Shanshan, Zhou Lingping, Ye Junru, Zhang Dongqing, Xie Yupeng, Li Yuping
Published 2019-01-01
Cite as Chin J Intern Med, 2019, 58(1): 49-55. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0578-1426.2019.01.009
Abstract
ObjectiveTo determine whether relative abundance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in plasma predicts clinical response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.
MethodsIn this prospective study, adult patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled in our hospital from 1 April 2016 to 1 January 2017. EGFR mutations in tumor tissues were detected by ADx-amplification refractory mutation system (ADx-ARMS). EGFR mutations of plasma free tumor DNA were detected by ADx-ARMS and ADx-super amplification refractory mutation system (ADx-SuperARMS) at the same time. Patients with EGFR-mutant in tumor tissues and receiving EGFR-TKIs were finally enrolled. Plasma mutation-positive patients with both methods were high abundance group.Patients with positive mutations by ADx-SuperARMS but negative by ADx-ARMS were medium abundance group. Mutation-negative patients with both methods were recognized as low abundance group. The correlation between EGFR mutation abundance and clinical response to EGFR-TKIs were analyzed.
ResultsAmong 71 patients enrolled, 42 harbored EGFR mutations in plasma were detected by ADx-ARMS, while 53 were found by ADx-SuperARMS.There were 42 patients in high abundance group, 11 in medium group while the other 18 in low group. The objective response rates (ORRs) were 69.0%, 7/11 and 10/18 in high, medium and low groups, respectively. The difference was significant between high and low abundances groups (P=0.006). Median progression-free survival (PFS) in high, medium and low groups were 11.0, 8.5 and 9.0 monthes, respectively (P<0.001). In patients with tumor 19-Del, the ORRs were 70.4%, 5/7 and 6/11 in high, medium and low abundance groups, respectively. The median PFS of high abundance group was significantly longer than the other two groups (12.0 monthes vs 9.0, 9.0 monthes). As to subjects with L858R mutation, the ORRs were 10/15, 2/4 and 3/6, respectively, with median PFS 9.6, 5.5 and 9.5 monthes.
ConclusionsThe relative abundance of EGFR mutations in plasma predicts clinical response to EGFR-TKIs in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The higher the mutation abundance is, the better the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs is.
Key words:
Receptor, epithelial growth factor; Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors; Mutation abundance; Lung Adenocarcinoma
Contributor Information
Xu Hanyan
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China
Lai Qianqian
Su Shanshan
Zhou Lingping
Ye Junru
Zhang Dongqing
Xie Yupeng
Li Yuping
