Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Status in Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma with Different Image Patterns

Prevalence of EGFR Mutations in Patients With Resected Stages I to III NSCLC: Results From the EARLY-EGFR Study

INTRODUCTION

There is limited literature on the prevalence of EGFR mutations in early stage NSCLC. EARLY-EGFR (NCT04742192), a cross-sectional study, determined the prevalence of EGFR mutations in early stage NSCLC.

METHODS

This noninterventional, real-world study enrolled consecutive patients with resected stages IA to IIIB (American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition) NSCLC from 14 countries across Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. The primary end point was prevalence of EGFR mutations and secondary end points included prevalence of EGFR mutation subtypes and treatment patterns.

RESULTS

Of 601 patients (median [range] age: 62.0 [30.0-86.0] y) enrolled, 52.7% were females and 64.2% were nonsmokers. Most had stages IA to IB NSCLC (64.1%) and adenocarcinoma (98.7%). Overall prevalence of EGFR mutations was 51.0%; most reported exon 19 deletions (48.5%) followed by exon 21 L858R mutations (34.0%). Women had a higher EGFR mutation rate than men (64.0% versus 36.4%). Compared with no EGFR mutations, patients with EGFR mutations were more likely to be nonsmokers (35.1% versus 60.9%) and have stage I NSCLC than stages II and III NSCLC (54.8% versus 47.3% and 35.6%). Systemic adjuvant therapy was planned in 33.8% of the patients with stages IB to IIIB disease and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 6.8%. Age above or equal to 60 years, females, and Asians were found to have a significantly (p < 0.05) higher odds of EGFR mutations, whereas smoking history and stage III disease had lower odds of EGFR mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

The EARLY-EGFR study provides an overview of EGFR mutations and subtype prevalence in patients with early stage NSCLC. The study highlights the limited adherence to treatment guidelines suggesting an unmet need for improved adjuvant therapy.

Relationship between consolidation tumor ratio and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in small-sized lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) is associated with cancer progression and histological invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). However, little is known about the association between CTR and immune‐related factors, including tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) density or tumor expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in small‐sized LAD.

Methods

This study included 258 patients with LAD (<3 cm) who underwent surgery. Patients were assigned to four groups: CTR = 0; 0 < CTR <0.5; 0.5 ≤ CTR <1 (ground‐glass opacity [GGO] group); and CTR = 1 (pure‐solid group). CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and FoxP3⁺ TIL density and PD‐L1 and IDO1 tumor expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Among the GGO group, CD8⁺ and FoxP3⁺ TIL density increased significantly with increasing CTR (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, PD‐L1 and IDO1 expression was significantly higher in the pure‐solid group than in the GGO group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

CTR was correlated with the abundance of CD8⁺ and FoxP3⁺ TILs in the GGO group. PD‐L1 and IDO1 positivity rates were significantly higher in the pure‐solid group than in the GGO group. Increased CTR may be correlated with immunosuppressive condition.

Clinical and Radiological Characteristics to Differentiate Between EGFR Exon 21 and Exon 19 Mutations in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations in lung adenocarcinoma have been previously associated with specific clinical characteristics and Computed Tomography (CT) patterns. However, associations among individual EGFR mutations have not been evaluated. We aim to differentiate if the most common EGFR mutations (exon 21 and 19) are related to specific clinical characteristics or CT patterns. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 5 databases were conducted with literature from January 2002 to July 2021. Eligible studies were of an experimental or observational design that included lung adenocarcinoma patients with confirmed EGFR exon mutations (21 and 19) and associated clinical characteristics and CT imaging patterns. Quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The association between clinical and CT patterns and EGFR exon mutations 21 and 19 was evaluated using odds ratios (OR) and then pooled and analyzed with a fixed or random-effects model. This study follows the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 12 retrospective diagnostic accuracy studies were included. Pooled analysis showed that characteristics such as absence of smoking status (OR 1.29 [95% CI 0.97 - 1.70]), and female sex (OR 1.23 [95% CI 0.83 - 1.82]); and CT patterns such as Ground Glass Opacities (GGO) (OR 1.03 [95% CI 0.78 -1.34]), air bronchogram (OR 0.78 [95% CI 0.44 -1.39]), pleural retraction (OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.53 - 1.28]), and spiculation (OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.48 - 1.31]) were not significantly associated to a specific mutation. Specific EGFR exon 21 and 19 mutations cannot be differentiated through characteristics (absence of smoking status and female sex) or radiological patterns (GGO, air bronchogram, pleural retraction, and speculation). There is limited data to assess if early disease stage or vascular convergence aids in differentiating exon 21 from 19 mutations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

[Relationship between EGFR, ALK Gene Mutation and Imaging and Pathological Features in Invasive Lung Adenocarcinoma]

BACKGROUND

At present, the research progress of targeted therapy for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma is very rapid, which brings new hope for the treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients. However, the specific imaging and pathological features of EGFR and ALK gene mutations in adenocarcinoma are still controversial. This study will further explore the correlation between EGFR, ALK gene mutations and imaging and pathological features in invasive lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 525 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery in our center from January 2018 to December 2019 were included. According to the results of postoperative gene detection, the patients were divided into EGFR gene mutation group, ALK gene mutation group and wild group, and the EGFR gene mutation group was divided into exon 19 and exon 21 subtypes. The pathological features of the mutation group and wild group, such as histological subtype, lymph node metastasis, visceral pleural invasion (VPI) and imaging features such as tumor diameter, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR), lobulation sign, spiculation sign, pleural retraction sign, air bronchus sign and vacuole sign were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis to explore whether the gene mutation group had specific manifestations.

RESULTS

EGFR gene mutation group was common in women (OR=2.041, P=0.001), with more pleural traction sign (OR=1.506, P=0.042), and had little correlation with lymph node metastasis and VPI (P>0.05). Among them, exon 21 subtype was more common in older (OR=1.022, P=0.036), women (OR=2.010, P=0.007), and was associated with larger tumor diameter (OR=1.360, P=0.039) and pleural traction sign (OR=1.754, P=0.029). Exon 19 subtype was common in women (OR=2.230, P=0.009), with a high proportion of solid components (OR=1.589, P=0.047) and more lobulation sign (OR=2.762, P=0.026). ALK gene mutations were likely to occur in younger patients (OR=2.950, P=0.045), with somking history (OR=1.070, P=0.002), and there were more micropapillary components (OR=4.184, P=0.019) and VPI (OR=2.986, P=0.034) in pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

The EGFR and ALK genes mutated adenocarcinomas have specific imaging and clinicopathological features, and the mutations in exon 19 or exon 21 subtype have different imaging features, which is of great significance in guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules.

Clinical and CT patterns to predict EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Purpose

This study aims to determine if the presence of specific clinical and computed tomography (CT) patterns are associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was carried out in 6 databases between January 2002 and July 2021. The relationship between clinical and CT patterns to detect EGFR mutation was measured and pooled using odds ratios (OR). These results were used to build several mathematical models to predict EGFR mutation.

Results

34 retrospective diagnostic accuracy studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results showed that ground-glass opacities (GGO) have an OR of 1.86 (95%CI 1.34 −2.57), air bronchogram OR 1.60 (95%CI 1.38 – 1.85), vascular convergence OR 1.39 (95%CI 1.12 – 1.74), pleural retraction OR 1.99 (95%CI 1.72 – 2.31), spiculation OR 1.42 (95%CI 1.19 – 1.70), cavitation OR 0.70 (95%CI 0.57 – 0.86), early disease stage OR 1.58 (95%CI 1.14 – 2.18), non-smoker status OR 2.79 (95%CI 2.34 – 3.31), female gender OR 2.33 (95%CI 1.97 – 2.75). A mathematical model was built, including all clinical and CT patterns assessed, showing an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81.

Conclusions

GGO, air bronchogram, vascular convergence, pleural retraction, spiculated margins, early disease stage, female gender, and non-smoking status are significant risk factors for EGFR mutation. At the same time, cavitation is a protective factor for EGFR mutation. The mathematical model built acts as a good predictor for EGFR mutation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

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GGO, air bronchogram, vascular convergence, pleural retraction, and spiculated margins, are risk factors for EGFR mutation.

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Early disease stage, female gender and non-smoking status are risk factors for EGFR mutation.

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Cavitation is a protective factor for EGFR mutation.

Prognostic Nomograms Based on Ground Glass Opacity and Subtype of Lung Adenocarcinoma for Patients with Pathological Stage IA Lung Adenocarcinoma

The value of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) subtypes and ground glass opacity (GGO) in pathological stage IA invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) has been poorly understood, and reports of their association with each other have been limited. In the current study, we retrospectively reviewed 484 patients with pathological stage IA invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2011 to August 2018. Patients with at least 5% solid or micropapillary presence were categorized as high-risk subtypes. Independent indicators for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Based on these indicators, we developed prognostic nomograms of OS and DFS. The predictive performance of the two nomograms were assessed by calibration plots. A total of 412 patients were recognized as having the low-risk subtype, and 359 patients had a GGO. Patients with the low-risk subtype had a high rate of GGO nodules (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high-risk subtype and GGO components were independent prognostic factors for OS (LUAD subtype: p = 0.002; HR 3.624; 95% CI 1.263–10.397; GGO component: p = 0.001; HR 3.186; 95% CI 1.155–8.792) and DFS (LUAD subtype: p = 0.001; HR 2.284; 95% CI 1.448–5.509; GGO component: p = 0.003; HR 1.877; 95% CI 1.013–3.476). The C-indices of the nomogram based on the LUAD subtype and GGO components to predict OS and DFS were 0.866 (95% CI 0.841–0.891) and 0.667 (95% CI 0.586–0.748), respectively. Therefore, the high-risk subtype and GGO components were potential prognostic biomarkers for patients with stage IA IAC, and prognostic models based on these indicators showed good predictive performance and satisfactory agreement between observational and predicted survival.

Intertumoural Heterogeneity and Branch Evolution of Synchronous Multiple Primary Lung Adenocarcinomas by Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis

Objectives

Multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) are an increasingly well-known clinical phenomenon, but there is a lack of high-level evidence for their optimal clinical diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. Thus, we analysed genetic variation to determine the intertumoural heterogeneity and branch evolution of synchronous multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas.

Methods

We performed multiplex mutational sequencing on 93 synchronous multiple primary lung adenocarcinoma lesions from 42 patients who underwent surgical resection.

Results

The high discordance rate of mutation was 92.9% (n=39) between tumours in individual patients. EGFR, TP53 and KRAS mutations were detected in 57 (61.3%), 19 (20.4%) and 11 (11.8%) of the 93 tumours, respectively. 16 cases of multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas simultaneously harboured EGFR mutations and TP53 mutations. Matching mutations between paired tumours were observed in 1 (2.4%) patient for P20. The genotypes were all EGFR L858R mutations, but the pathological type of P20T1 was lepidic predominant, and P20T2 was adenocarcinoma in situ. In the phylogenetic tree, genetic variations were divided into trunk, shared and branch subtypes. Branch mutations accounted for 91.09% of variations in sMPLA, while the ratio of trunk (4.95%) and shared (3.96%) variations was significantly lower.

Conclusions

Remarkable intertumoural heterogeneity and frequent branch mutations were found in synchronous multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas.

Prognosis of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated stage I lung adenocarcinoma with radiologically solid features

OBJECTIVES

The prognostic role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation remains controversial, especially in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma with a solid appearance. We evaluated the oncological outcomes of clinical stage I (c-stage I) radiologically invasive lung adenocarcinoma by EGFR mutation status.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2013, the data from 463 surgically resected c-stage I radiologically invasive, i.e. solid-dominant lung adenocarcinomas subjected to EGFR mutant analysis, were evaluated. Oncological outcomes were assessed using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 229 (49%) samples harboured the EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma. Overall, the 5-year RFS did not differ significantly between the EGFR-mutant and EGFR wild-type groups (67.3% vs 64.9%; P = 0.639). However, among the clinical T1c/T2a tumour subset (n = 177), a multivariable Cox hazard model revealed that radiologically pure-solid tumour (P = 0.024), EGFR-mutant (P = 0.027) and pathological stage II/III (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of a poor RFS. Furthermore, in the c-T1c/T2a radiologically pure-solid lung adenocarcinoma subset, the EGFR-mutant group showed marginally lower 5-year RFS compared to that with the EGFR wild-type group (n = 134; 34.9% vs 53.0%; P = 0.062). Among them, multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that EGFR mutant (P = 0.037) and pathological stage II/III (P = 0.011) were independently and significantly prognostic for worse RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the c-stage I radiologically invasive lung adenocarcinomas, the EGFR mutation-positive type was correlated with an increased risk of recurrence in the c-T1c/T2a radiologically pure-solid tumour subset. When considering the prognostic value of EGFR mutations in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, it is necessary to stratify them based on the presence of a ground-glass opacity component.

Molecular Alterations in Lung Adenocarcinoma With Ground-Glass Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nodular ground-glass lesions have become increasingly common with the increased use of computed tomography (CT), while the genomic features of ground-glass opacities (GGOs) remain unclear. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the molecular alterations of GGOs and their correlation with radiological progression.

METHODS

Studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, using PCR, targeted panel sequencing, whole exosome sequencing, and immunohistochemistry, and reporting genomic alterations or PD-L1 expressions in lung nodules presenting as GGOs until January 21, 2021 were included in this study. Chi-square test, random-effects model, and Z-test analysis were adopted to analyze the data.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies describing mutations in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with GGOs were analyzed. EGFR was the most frequently mutative gene (51%, 95%CI 47%-56%), followed by TP53 (18%, 95%CI 6%-31%), HER2 (10%, 95%CI 0%-21%), ROS1 (6%, 95%CI 0%-18%), and KRAS (6%, 95%CI 3%-9%). The correlation between the frequency of EGFR mutation and radiological was observed and the differences were found to be not statistically significant in the subgroups, which are listed as below: radiological: gGGO 47.40%, 95%CI [38.48%; 56.40%]; sGGO 51.94%, 95%CI [45.15%; 58.69%]. The differences of the frequency of KRAS mutation in the different subgroups were also consistent with this conclusion, which are listed as: radiological gGGO 3.42, 95%CI [1.35%; 6.13%]; sGGO 12.27%, 95%CI [3.89%; 23.96%]. The pooled estimated rate of PD-L1 was 8.82%, 95%CI [5.20%-13.23%]. A total of 11.54% (3/26) of the SMGGNs were confirmed to be intrapulmonary spread by WES.

CONCLUSIONS

Somatic genetic alterations are considered in early-stage GGO patients without distinct changes of the frequency following the progress of the tumor. This review sheds insight on molecular alterations in LUAD with GGOs.

Value of CT features for predicting EGFR mutations and ALK positivity in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

The aim of this study was to identify the relationships of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma kinase (ALK) status with CT characteristics in adenocarcinoma using the largest patient cohort to date. In this study, preoperative chest CT findings prior to treatment were retrospectively evaluated in 827 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas. All patients were tested for EGFR mutations and ALK status. EGFR mutations were found in 489 (59.1%) patients, and ALK positivity was found in 57 (7.0%). By logistic regression, the most significant independent prognostic factors of EGFR effective mutations were female sex, nonsmoker status, GGO air bronchograms and pleural retraction. For EGFR mutation prediction, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves yielded areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.682 and 0.758 for clinical only or combined CT features, respectively, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the exon 21 mutation rate in GGO was significantly higher than the exon 19 mutation rate(p = 0.029). The most significant independent prognostic factors of ALK positivity were age, solid-predominant-subtype tumours, mucinous lung adenocarcinoma, solid tumours and no air bronchograms on CT. ROC curve analysis showed that for predicting ALK positivity, the use of clinical variables combined with CT features (AUC = 0.739) was superior to the use of clinical variables alone (AUC = 0.657), with a significant difference (p = 0.0082). The use of CT features for patients may allow analyses of tumours and more accurately predict patient populations who will benefit from therapies targeting treatment.

Subsolid pulmonary nodules: Controversy and perspective

Ground glass and part-solid nodules, collectively referred to as subsolid nodules, present a challenge in management, with a high risk of malignancy but, when malignant, demonstrating indolent behavior. Emerging data suggest longer follow-up intervals and shorter duration of follow-up is likely appropriate in these nodules. Additionally, definitive therapy is shifting to less aggressive approaches such as sub-lobar resection. Patients may benefit from individualized approaches, incorporating both patient and imaging features to determine whether treatment is necessary.

CT features associated with EGFR mutations and ALK positivity in patients with multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas

Background

In multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas (MPLAs), the relationship between imaging and gene mutations remains unclear. This retrospective study aimed to identify the correlation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) status with CT characteristics in MPLA patients.

Methods

Sixty-seven patients (135 lesions) with MPLAs confirmed by pathology were selected from our institution. All subjects were tested for EGFR mutations and ALK status and underwent chest CT prior to any treatment. The criteria for MPLA definitions closely adhered to the comprehensive histologic assessment (CHA).

Results

Among MPLA patients, EGFR mutations were more common in females (p = 0.002), in those who had never smoked (p = 0.010), and in those with less lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), and the tumours typically presented with ground-glass opacity (GGO) (p = 0.003), especially mixed GGO (p < 0.001), and with air bronchograms (p = 0.012). Logistics regression analysis showed that GGO (OR = 6.550, p = 0.010) was correlated with EGFR mutation, while air bronchograms were not correlated with EGFR mutation (OR = 3.527, p = 0.060). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve yielded area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.647 and 0.712 for clinical-only or combined CT features, respectively, for prediction of EGFR mutations, and a significant difference was found between them (p = 0.0344). ALK-positive status was found most frequently in MPLA patients who were younger (p = 0.002) and had never smoked (p = 0.010). ALK positivity was associated with solid nodules or masses in MPLAs (p < 0.004) on CT scans. Logistics regression analysis showed that solid nodules (OR = 6.550, p = 0.010) were an independent factor predicting ALK positivity in MPLAs. For prediction of ALK positivity, the ROC curve yielded AUC values of 0.767 and 0.804 for clinical-only or combined CT features, respectively, but no significant difference was found between them (p = 0.2267).

Conclusion

Among MPLA patients, nonsmoking women with less lymph node metastasis and patients with lesions presenting GGO or mixed GGO and air bronchograms on CT were more likely to exhibit EGFR mutations. In nonsmoking patients, young patients with solid lesions on CT are recommended to undergo an ALK status test.

Association of radiomic features with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status in non-small cell lung cancer and survival treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Since the discovery of the fact that tyrosine kinase inhibitors could improve progression-free survival for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer compared with traditional chemotherapy, it has been extremely important to identify epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status in treatment stratification. Although lack of sufficient biopsy samples limit the precise detection of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status in clinical practice, and it is difficult to identify the sensitive patients who confer favorable response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. An increasing number of scholars tried to deal with these problems using methods based on the non-invasive imaging including computed tomography and PET to find the association with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status and survival treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor in non-small cell lung cancer. Although the conclusions have not reached a consensus, quantitative and high-throughput radiomics have brought us a new direction and might successfully help identify patients undergoing tyrosine kinase inhibitors who could get significant benefits.

[Progress in Basic Research and Clinical Treatment of Multiple Pulmonary Nodules]

肺癌是世界上发病率和死亡率最高的肿瘤。随着多层螺旋计算机断层扫描（computed tomography, CT）技术的发展和肺癌筛查的广泛开展，越来越多的肺结节被发现, 其中不少是多发肺结节，这些结节在病理学上常被诊断为多原发肺腺癌。对于具有不同影像学特征的多发结节，首选处理方法不尽相同，且每个肺结节的处理方法仍存在很大争议。近年来多发肺结节各病灶的演进及病灶间的相互影响机制，病灶内和病灶间肿瘤细胞在基因组学方面的同质性和异质性也备受关注。本文从组织病理学、基因组学、外科处理等多方面综合论述多发肺结节的研究进展。

CT and clinical characteristics that predict risk of EGFR mutation in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

To systematically analyze CT and clinical characteristics to find out the risk factors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Then the significant characteristics were used to set up a mathematic model to predict EGFR mutation in NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Web of Knowledge and EMBASE up to August 17, 2018 were systematically searched for relevant studies that investigated the evidence of association between CT and clinical characteristics and EGFR mutation in NSCLC. After study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, the pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Then from May 2017 to August 2018, all NSCLC received EGFR mutation examination and CT examination in our hospital were chosen to test the prediction model by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Seventeen original studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the ORs of ground-glass opacity (GGO), air bronchogram, pleural retraction, vascular convergence, smoking history, female gender were, respectively, 1.93 (P = 0.003), 2.09 (P = 0.03), 1.59 (P < 0.01), 1.61 (P = 0.001), 0.28 (P < 0.01), 0.35 (P < 0.01). The result of speculation, cavitation/bubble-like lucency, lesion shape, margin, pathological stage were, respectively, 1.19 (P = 0.32), 0.99 (P = 0.97), 0.82 (P = 0.42), 1.02 (P = 0.90), 0.77 (P = 0.30). 121 NSCLC received EGFR mutation test were included to test the prediction model. The mathematical model based on the results of meta-analysis was: 0.74 × air bronchogram + 0.46 × pleural retraction + 0.48 × vascular convergence - 1.27 × non-smoking history - 1.05 × female. The area under the ROC curve was 0.68.

CONCLUSION

Based on the current evidence, GGO presence, air bronchogram, pleural retraction, vascular convergence were significant risk factors of EGFR mutation in NSCLC. And the prediction model can help to predict EGFR mutation status.

Correlation between high-resolution computed tomography lung nodule characteristics and EGFR mutation in lung adenocarcinomas

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of EGFR mutation on the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features in lung adenocarcinoma.

Patients and methods

A total of 121 patients were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma from January 2014 to December 2016. The correlation of indexes (gender, age, tumor diameter, and EGFR mutation) was analyzed based on the HRCT characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma.

Results

There were 73 cases of EGFR mutation and 48 cases of wild-type EGFR. One hundred and three cases had pleural indentation that was significant in patients with EGFR mutation than those with wild-type EGFR (P=0.038). Forty-two out of 121 cases exhibited the bronchus cutoff sign. Patients with EGFR mutation were likely to develop the bronchus cutoff sign (P=0.017). Sixty-one out of 121 cases exhibited the lobulation sign, which was significant in patients with EGFR mutation than those with wild-type EGFR (P<0.001). A significant correlation was found between lobulation sign and tumor diameter (P=0.024). Forty-eight out of 121 and 23 out of 121 cases showed the vessel and vacuole signs, respectively. However, patients with EGFR mutation did not exert a significant correlation on either of these signs (P=0.555 and P=0.372, respectively). A statistical significance was not observed in indexes such as age, gender, and tumor diameter on pleural indentation, bronchus cutoff sign, vessel sign, and vacuole sign (P>0.05). Age and gender did not vary significantly in the lobulation sign (P>0.05).

Conclusion

HRCT characteristics such as pleural indentation, bronchus cutoff sign, and lobulation sign in lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation were significantly greater than those with wild-type EGFR; however, further study is essential in determining the predictive ability of computed tomography (CT) for EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma.

Prediction of EGFR mutations by conventional CT-features in advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the ability of conventional computed tomography (CT) features (including primary tumors, metastatic lesions, lymph nodes, and emphysema) to predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients who were diagnosed with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma between January 2017 and August 2017 and had undergone a chest CT and EGFR mutation testing were enrolled in this retrospective study. Qualitative and quantitative CT-features and clinical characteristics evaluated in this study included: primary tumor location, size, and morphology (including degree of lobulation, density, calcification, cavitation, vacuole sign, and air bronchogram), size and distribution of lung and pleural metastatic nodules, size and status of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, emphysema, organs with distant metastasis, and patient age, sex, and smoking history.

RESULTS

Of 201 patients, 107 (53.23%) were EGFR-mutation positive. The multivariate logistic regression indicated that EGFR mutations were significantly associated with smaller lymph nodes, a lower percentage of deep lobulation of the primary tumor and partial fusion of lymph nodes, and absence of emphysema. The area under the curve of logistic regression model for predicting EGFR mutations was 0.898.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional CT-features, including emphysema, degree of primary tumor lobulation, and lymph node size and status, help to predict the presence or absence of EGFR mutations in advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Additionally, these same CT-features demonstrated that the CT manifestations of the EGFR mutant group were of relatively lower malignancy and less invasive as compared to the wild-type EGFR group.

EGFR-TKI-sensitive mutations in lung carcinomas: are they related to clinical features and CT findings?

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing is restricted to several limitations. In this study, we examined the relationship between EGFR mutation status and clinicoradiological characteristics in a Chinese cohort of patients.

Materials and methods

The data of patients who were diagnosed with lung carcinoma and underwent both EGFR testing and chest computed tomography (CT) at our hospital between January 1, 2011, and November 31, 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. The age, sex, and smoking index of the patients, the size, margin, and density of the tumor, and the presence of specific signs visible on the CT images were assessed.

Results

The results showed a higher rate of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive group than nonsensitive group in female patients and patients with a low smoking index (P<0.001, both). In logistic regression analyses, tumor size (P<0.001), smooth margins (P=0.015), and angular margins (P<0.001) were independent negative predictors of EGFR-TKI-sensitive group. Pleural indentation (P<0.001) and air bronchogram (P=0.025) were independent positive predictors of EGFR-TKI-sensitive group. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had fewer sensitive mutations than those with either adenocarcinoma (P<0.001) or adenosquamous carcinoma (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Clinical and CT characteristics differed significantly between EGFR-TKI-sensitive and nonsensitive groups. Our findings may be useful in deciding therapeutic strategies for patients in whom EGFR testing is not possible.

Large-Scale EGFR Mutation Testing in Clinical Practice: Analysis of a Series of 18,920 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cases

We make use of a very large dataset of non-small cell lung cancer specimens to examine the molecular epidemiology of EGFR mutations, particularly with respect to rare and compound mutations, and to non-adenocarcinoma histological subtypes. We also demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale EGFR mutation screening using the full range of specimens encountered in routine practice. We retrospectively reviewed 18,920 unselected EGFR mutation results from our centre between July 2009 and October 2016, using Qiagen's therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kit. Mutation rates were correlated with patient demographics and tumour histology. Our testing success rate was 93.9%, with similar success rates using histological and cytological specimens. Rare, potentially-targetable mutations accounted for 9.5% of all mutations detected. We identified a 2.5% mutation rate in tumours diagnosed as squamous cell carcinomas. There was a trend towards increasing EGFR mutation rates with increasing age, and while Del19 was the commonest mutation in the young, L858R predominated in the elderly. We found that EGFR mutation heterogeneity is rare within tumours and between primary and metastatic deposits. Our data demonstrate that large-scale, reflex EGFR mutation testing is feasible and affordable in the context of a publicly-funded health system. Furthermore, we have shown that the use of techniques sensitive only to classical mutations and selection of patients on the grounds of age, sex and histology denies patients access to potentially beneficial TKI therapy.

Non-invasive tumor genotyping using radiogenomic biomarkers, a systematic review and oncology-wide pathway analysis

With targeted treatments playing an increasing role in oncology, the need arises for fast non-invasive genotyping in clinical practice. Radiogenomics is a rapidly evolving field of research aimed at identifying imaging biomarkers useful for non-invasive genotyping. Radiogenomic genotyping has the advantage that it can capture tumor heterogeneity, can be performed repeatedly for treatment monitoring, and can be performed in malignancies for which biopsy is not available. In this systematic review of 187 included articles, we compiled a database of radiogenomic associations and unraveled networks of imaging groups and gene pathways oncology-wide. Results indicated that ill-defined tumor margins and tumor heterogeneity can potentially be used as imaging biomarkers for 1p/19q codeletion in glioma, relevant for prognosis and disease profiling. In non-small cell lung cancer, FDG-PET uptake and CT-ground-glass-opacity features were associated with treatment-informing traits including EGFR-mutations and ALK-rearrangements. Oncology-wide gene pathway analysis revealed an association between contrast enhancement (imaging) and the targetable VEGF-signalling pathway. Although the need of independent validation remains a concern, radiogenomic biomarkers showed potential for prognosis prediction and targeted treatment selection. Quantitative imaging enhanced the potential of multiparametric radiogenomic models. A wealth of data has been compiled for guiding future research towards robust non-invasive genomic profiling.

Computer-Aided Nodule Assessment and Risk Yield (CANARY) may facilitate non-invasive prediction of EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinomas

Computer-Aided Nodule Assessment and Risk Yield (CANARY) is quantitative imaging analysis software that predicts the histopathological classification and post-treatment disease-free survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. CANARY characterizes nodules by the distribution of nine color-coded texture-based exemplars. We hypothesize that quantitative computed tomography (CT) analysis of the tumor and tumor-free surrounding lung facilitates non-invasive identification of clinically-relevant mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. Comprehensive analysis of targetable mutations (50-gene-panel) and CANARY analysis of the preoperative (≤3 months) high resolution CT (HRCT) was performed for 118 pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum surgically resected between 2006-2010. Logistic regression with stepwise variable selection was used to determine predictors of mutations. We identified 140 mutations in 106 of 118 nodules. TP53 (n = 48), KRAS (n = 47) and EGFR (n = 15) were the most prevalent. The combination of Y (Yellow) and G (Green) exemplars, fibrosis within the surrounding lung and smoking status were the best discriminators for an EGFR mutation (AUC 0.77 and 0.87, respectively). None of the EGFR mutants expressing TP53 (n = 5) had a good prognosis based on CANARY features. No quantitative features were significantly associated with KRAS mutations. Our exploratory analysis indicates that quantitative CT analysis of a nodule and surrounding lung may noninvasively predict the presence of EGFR mutations in pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum.

CT characteristics in pulmonary adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation

Comprehensively investigate the association of CT morphology and clinical findings of adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation status. Retrospectively included 282 patients who was pathologically proved as lung adenocarcinoma with known EGFR mutation status (mutations: 138 patients, female: 86, median age: 66 years; wildtype: 144 patients, female: 67, median age: 62 years) and their pre-treatment CT scans were analyzed. CT findings and clinical information were collected. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. Adjusted for age, gender and smoking history of two groups, significantly more patients with pleural tags, pleural and liver metastases were found in the EGFR mutated group (P = 0.007, 0.004, and 0.043, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that the model included age, gender, smoking history, air bronchogram, pleural tags, pleural and liver metastasis had a moderate predictive value for EGFR mutation status (AUC = 0.741, P < .0001). Exon-19 deletion was associated with air bronchogram which adjusted for age, gender and smoking history (P = 0.007, OR: 2.91, 95%CI: 1.25–7.79). The evidence of pleural tags, pleural and liver metastases go along with a higher probability of EGFR mutation in adenocarcinoma patients and air bronchogram is positively associated with Exon-19 deletion mutation.

Prognostic value and molecular correlates of a CT image-based quantitative pleural contact index in early stage NSCLC

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic value and molecular basis of a CT-derived pleural contact index (PCI) in early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We retrospectively analysed seven NSCLC cohorts. A quantitative PCI was defined on CT as the length of tumour-pleura interface normalised by tumour diameter. We evaluated the prognostic value of PCI in a discovery cohort (n = 117) and tested in an external cohort (n = 88) of stage I NSCLC. Additionally, we identified the molecular correlates and built a gene expression-based surrogate of PCI using another cohort of 89 patients. To further evaluate the prognostic relevance, we used four datasets totalling 775 stage I patients with publically available gene expression data and linked survival information.

RESULTS

At a cutoff of 0.8, PCI stratified patients for overall survival in both imaging cohorts (log-rank p = 0.0076, 0.0304). Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling was enriched among genes associated with PCI (p = 0.0003). The genomic surrogate of PCI remained an independent predictor of overall survival in the gene expression cohorts (hazard ratio: 1.46, p = 0.0007) adjusting for age, gender, and tumour stage.

CONCLUSIONS

CT-derived pleural contact index is associated with ECM remodelling and may serve as a noninvasive prognostic marker in early stage NSCLC.

KEY POINTS

• A quantitative pleural contact index (PCI) predicts survival in early stage NSCLC. • PCI is associated with extracellular matrix organisation and collagen catabolic process. • A multi-gene surrogate of PCI is an independent predictor of survival. • PCI can be used to noninvasively identify patients with poor prognosis.

Computed tomography and clinical features associated with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status in stage I/II lung adenocarcinoma

Background

The relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation status, preoperative computed tomography (CT), and clinical features in patients with small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma (<3 cm) was investigated.

Methods

We included 209 patients who underwent surgical resection for stage I or II lung adenocarcinoma at Nanjing General Hospital between December 2010 and May 2016. 171 cases of patients underwent a pretreatment chest CT. Eleven different CT descriptors were assessed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for the prediction of EGFR mutation. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the logistic regression model.

Results

EGFR mutation was determined in 126 patients (60.3%) and appeared more frequently in women (P = 0.025), never‐smokers (P < 0.001), and patients with a carcinoembryonic antigen level <2.6 ng/ml (P = 0.045). Papillary predominant adenocarcinomas (P = 0.014), intermediate/low pathologic grade tumors (P = 0.003), tumors in the upper lobe (P = 0.028), and showing ground‐glass opacity (GGO) or mixed GGO on CT (P = 0.039) also more frequently harbored EGFR mutations. GGO on CT, acinar or papillary predominant adenocarcinoma, and non‐smoker were identified in multivariable analyses as significantly independent risk factors. The multiple logistic regression model showed high predictive power for identifying EGFR mutations. The CT features were similar between the L858R and 19 deletion mutations.

Conclusions

Combined CT and clinical features may be helpful for determining the presence of EGFR mutations in patients with small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma, particularly in patients where mutational profiling is not available or possible.

Correlation in histological subtypes with high resolution computed tomography signatures of early stage lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Uncertainty remains on the association between image characteristics of the nodules in computed tomography (CT) scans and lung adenocarcinoma histopathologic subtypes. We aimed to estimate the correlation between preoperative high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan and postoperative histopathology of stage IA lung adenocarcinoma in East Asian Chinese population.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and HRCT images of 190 patients (106 female and 84 male) with resected, preoperatively untreated stage IA adenocarcinomas. The relationship between image characteristics of nodules at preoperative HRCT and their histological subtypes after resection were analyzed. The one-way ANOVA, chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analysis.

RESULTS

In 190 patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, median tumor diameter was significantly lower in lepidic predominant invasive adenocarcinoma (LPA) (15.96±6.95 mm). Univariate analysis revealed that ground-glass opacity (GGO) proportion (P<0.001), margin (P<0.001), border definition (P=0.015), pleural retraction (P<0.001) and enhancement (P<0.001) had statistically significant differences in four histological subtypes. The multivariate analysis referenced for lepidic group which indicated that GGO proportion and pleural retraction were independent associated with acinar group (RR=4.221, 95% CI: 1.770-10.066, P=0.001; RR=0.380, 95% CI: 0.158-0.916, P=0.031, respectively). Male and whose nodule margin with spiculation or lobulation were prone to papillary predominant invasive adenocarcinoma (PPA) (RR=0.288, 95% CI: 0.090-0.920, P=0.036; RR=0.250, 95% CI: 0.070-0.887, P=0.032, respectively). GGO proportion and nodule margin were independent related factors in solid predominant invasive adenocarcinoma (SPA) (RR=13.338, 95% CI: 2.974-59.811, P=0.001; RR=0.097, 95% CI: 0.016-0.606, P=0.013, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Nodules with spiculation or lobulation and less GGO proportion are determinants of histological subtypes with poor prognosis in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients according to the 2011 histologic IASLC/ATS/ERS classification.

Pulmonary ground-glass opacity: computed tomography features, histopathology and molecular pathology

The incidence of pulmonary ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions is increasing as a result of the widespread use of multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) and the low-dose CT screening for lung cancer detection. Besides benign lesions, GGOs can be a specific type of lung adenocarcinomas or their preinvasive lesions. Evaluation of pulmonary GGO and investigation of the correlation between CT imaging features and lung adenocarcinoma subtypes or driver genes can be helpful in confirming the diagnosis and in guiding the clinical management. Our review focuses on the pathologic characteristics of GGO detected at CT, involving histopathology and molecular pathology.

CT characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

To systematically investigate the relationship between CT morphological features and the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

All studies about the CT morphological features of NSCLC with EGFR mutations published between January 1, 2000 and March 15, 2015 were searched in the PubMed and EMBASE databases. Qualified studies were selected according to inclusion criteria. The frequency of EGFR mutations and CT features of ground-glass opacity (GGO) content, tumor size, cavitation, air-bronchogram, lobulation, and spiculation were extracted. The relationship between EGFR mutations and each of these CT features was tested based upon the weighted mean difference or inverse variance in the form of an odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval using Forest Plots. The publication bias was examined using Egger’s test.

Results

A total of 13 studies, consisting of 2146 NSCLC patients, were included, and 51.12% (1097/2146) of patients had EGFR mutations. The EGFR mutations were present in NSCLC with part-solid GGO in contrast to nonsolid GGO (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.25–0.96, P = 0.04). Other CT features such as tumor size, cavitation, air-bronchogram, lobulation and spiculation did not demonstrate statistically significant correlation with EGFR mutations individually (P = 0.91; 0.67; 0.12; 0.45; and 0.36, respectively). No publication bias among the selected studies was noted in this meta-analysis (Egger’s tests, P > 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that NSCLC with CT morphological features of part-solid GGO tended to be EGFR mutated, which might provide an important clue for the correct selection of patients treated with molecular targeted therapies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12880-016-0175-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Discrepancy of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in lung adenocarcinoma presenting as multiple ground-glass opacities

OBJECTIVES

To identify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status between different lesions in lung adenocarcinoma presenting as multiple ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions and analyse its association with clinical characteristics.

METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with lung adenocarcinoma presenting as multiple GGO lesions were identified to investigate EGFR mutation in exon 18-21. Lesions with the largest size in diameter were defined as the primary lesions; the others were defined as the secondary lesions. One hundred and fifty-nine lesions of these patients were classified into pure GGO and mixed GGO by computed tomography scan images.

RESULTS

The EGFR mutation rate in the patients was 48.7% (38 of 78). Patients with high frequency of EGFR mutation were females and non-smokers. The EGFR mutation rate of invasive adenocarcinoma was higher than that of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia/adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (P = 0.001). Although 19-deletion and L858R were the most common EGFR mutations, there was no difference of EGFR mutation in pathological subtypes of adenocarcinoma. Of the 38 paired lesions in patients harbouring EGFR mutation, the discordance rate of EGFR mutation was 92.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed different EGFR mutational profiles in multiple GGO lesions, suggesting that lesions seem to arise as independent events. It would offer useful information for determining the appropriate treatment strategy for lung adenocarcinoma presenting as multiple GGO lesions.

Predicting EGFR mutation status in lung cancer:Proposal for a scoring model using imaging and demographic characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To determine if a combination of CT and demographic features can predict EGFR mutation status in bronchogenic carcinoma.

METHODS

We reviewed demographic and CT features for patients with molecular profiling for resected non-small cell lung carcinoma. Using multivariate logistic regression, we identified features predictive of EGFR mutation. Prognostic factors identified from the logistic regression model were then used to build a more practical scoring system.

RESULTS

A scoring system awarding 5 points for no or minimal smoking history, 3 points for tumours with ground glass component, 3 points for airbronchograms, 2 points for absence of preoperative evidence of nodal enlargement or metastases and 1 point for doubling time of more than a year, resulted in an AUROC of 0.861. A total score of at least 8 yielded a specificity of 95 %. On multivariate analysis sex was not found to be predictor of EGFR status.

CONCLUSIONS

A weighted scoring system combining imaging and demographic data holds promise as a predictor of EGFR status. Further studies are necessary to determine reproducibility in other patient groups. A predictive score may help determine which patients would benefit from molecular profiling and may help inform treatment decisions when molecular profiling is not possible.

KEY POINTS

• EGFR mutation-targeted chemotherapy for bronchogenic carcinoma has a high success rate. • Mutation testing is not possible in all patients. • EGFR associations include subsolid density, slow tumour growth and minimal/no smoking history. • Demographic or imaging features alone are weak predictors of EGFR status. • A scoring system, using imaging and demographic features, is more predictive.

CT Features Associated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Status in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma

Purpose To retrospectively identify the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status, predominant histologic subtype, and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics in surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas in a cohort of Asian patients. materials and Methods This study was approved by the institutional review board, with waiver of informed consent. Preoperative chest CT findings were retrospectively evaluated in 385 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas. A total of 30 CT descriptors were assessed. EGFR mutations at exons 18-21 were determined by using the amplification refractory mutation system. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors of harboring EGFR mutation status. The final model was selected by using the backward elimination method, and two areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were compared with the nonparametric approach of DeLong, DeLong, and Clarke-Pearson. Results EGFR mutations were found in 168 (43.6%) of 385 patients. Mutations were found more frequently in (a) female patients (P < .001); (b)those who had never smoked (P < .001); (c)those with lepidic predominant adenocarcinomas (P = .001) or intermediate pathologic grade (P < .001); (e) smaller tumors (P < .001); (f)tumors with spiculation (P = .019), ground-glass opacity (GGO) or mixed GGO (P < .001), air bronchogram (P = .006), bubblelike lucency (P < .001), vascular convergence (P = .024), thickened adjacent bronchovascular bundles (P = .027), or pleural retraction (P < .001); and (g) tumors without pleural attachment (P = .004), a well-defined margin (P = .010), marked heterogeneous enhancement (P = .001), severe peripheral emphysema (P = .002), severe peripheral fibrosis (P = .013), or lymphadenopathy (P = .028). The most important and significantly independent prognostic factors of harboring EGFR-activating mutation for the model with both clinical variables and CT features were those who had never smoked and those with smaller tumors, bubblelike lucency, homogeneous enhancement, or pleural retraction when adjusting for histologic subtype, pathologic grade, or thickened adjacent bronchovascular bundles. ROC curve analysis showed that use of clinical variables combined with CT features (area under the ROC curve = 0.778) was superior to use of clinical variables alone (area under the ROC curve = 0.690). Conclusion CT imaging features of lung adenocarcinomas in combination with clinical variables can be used to prognosticate EGFR mutation status better than use of clinical variables alone. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

CT Gray-Level Texture Analysis as a Quantitative Imaging Biomarker of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Status in Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiogenomic correlation between CT gray-level texture features and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in adenocarcinoma of the lung.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 25 patients with exon 19 short inframe deletion (exon 19) and 21 patients with exon 21 L858R point (exon 21) EGFR mutations among 125 patients with EGFR mutant adenocarcinoma of the lung. The randomly formed control group consisted of 20 patients selected from 126 patients with EGFR mutation-negative (wild-type) adenocarcinomas. Five gray-level texture features (contrast, correlation, inverse difference moment, angular second moment, and entropy) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Contrast differentiated both exon 19 (p = 0.00027) and exon 21 (p = 0.00001) mutants from the wild type. Wild-type adenocarcinomas had high scores for contrast (mean, 1598.547) compared with EGFR mutants (mean, 679.463). Correlation differentiated both exon 19 (p = 0.017) and exon 21 (p = 0.0015) mutants from wild-type adenocarcinomas. Inverse difference moment differentiated exon 19 mutants from exon 21 mutants (p = 0.019) and both exon 19 (p = 0.044) and exon 21 (p = 0.00001) mutants from wild-type adenocarcinomas. Angular second moment and entropy were not associated with statistically significant differences between mutation statuses.

CONCLUSION

Contrast, correlation, and inverse difference moment texture features correlate with EGFR mutation status in adenocarcinoma of the lung. Further investigation with larger prospective studies is needed to validate the role of CT gray-level texture analysis as a quantitative imaging biomarker.

Eventual role of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer

Nonadvanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a poor long-term survival from surgery or definitive radiation that is minimally improved with induction/adjuvant conventional chemotherapy. EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which provide a significant benefit for molecularly selected EGFR-mutant patients with advanced NSCLC, have been infrequently explored in nonadvanced NSCLC to date. Current published studies reported no significant benefit from adding EGFR-TKI to the induction/adjuvant setting. However, many of them present eventual biases such as unpowered statistics, lack of molecular selection, recruitment of low-risk NSCLC, low sample size or unsuitable control arms. Results, strengths and deficiencies of completed and ongoing trials were fully discussed. Similarly, the selection of patients and control arms, the duration and risks of EGFR-TKI therapies in early-stage NSCLC, the evaluation of response and the diagnosis of EGFR status were considered and analyzed.

EGFR mutation and lobar location of lung adenocarcinoma

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations among lung cancer location, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status. Treatment-naive, pathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinomas with tumor specimens available for genetic analysis were included from 2011 through 2014. Overall, 1771 patients with lung adenocarcinoma were included for analysis, after excluding those with carcinoma not otherwise specified, or synchronous multiple primary lung cancers. The median age was 64 years, and the female:male and never smoker:ever smoker ratios were 930:855 (52:48%) and 1167:604 (65:35%), respectively. The EGFR mutation rate was 56%. Among patients, 1093 (62%) had primary tumors in the upper lobes. Compared with the characteristics of the EGFR wild-type, tumors with EGFR activating mutations were more common in women (P < 0.001), never smokers (P < 0.001), and in the upper lobes (P = 0.004). Among EGFR activating mutations, compared with the EGFR exon 19 deletion, L858R mutation were more common in women (P = 0.002), never smokers (P = 0.038), and the upper lobes P < 0.0005). The present study is the first to address that different pulmonary lobar locations might harbor different EGFR mutation subtypes. We demonstrated that adenocarcinomas with L858R mutation, rather than exon 19 deletion or wild-type EGFR gene, prefer to locate over the upper lungs. This phenomenon was more significant in females and never-smokers, implying the result of complex interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Therefore, EGFR L858R mutation and exon 19 deletion may not be identical disease entity from the point of carcinogenesis.

Clinical Features and Gene Mutations of Lung Cancer Patients 30 Years of Age or Younger

Purpose

Few studies examining the clinical features and gene mutations in lung cancer patients 30 years of age or younger have been published. A trend towards increasing morbidity has been noted in young patients; thus, an urgent need exists to explore this subgroup of patients.

Methods

Patients aged ≤30 years with pathologically diagnosed lung cancer were retrospectively evaluated. We reviewed the clinical features, gene mutations and prognosis of each patient.

Results

Forty-one patients were included in this study. The mean age was 26.4±3.5 years. Cough, tightness/dyspnea and chest pain were common symptoms, and 58.5% of patients presented with advanced stages of lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histologic type noted in these young patients. Masses and nodules were the dominant imaging features observed upon lung computed tomography (CT). Thoracic lymphadenopathy occurred very frequently in these patients. Five of 6 patients with echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene fusions presented solid masses with no ground-glass opacity (GGO) and thoracic multifocal lymphadenopathy. Six of 22 (27.2%) cases contained EML4-ALK gene fusions. In addition, 5 of 22 (22.7%) patients harbored epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, and 2 of 17 patients exhibited KRAS and ROS1 gene mutations. The median survival times were 44.2 months for patients with early stage disease and 8 months for patients with advanced NSCLC disease. The one-year and 5-year survival rates were 56.6% and 38.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Increased gene mutation frequencies are noted in these very young lung cancer patients. This finding indicates that the detection of gene mutations in these patients is important and will help to determine the appropriate targeted therapy.

Impact of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification of stage IA adenocarcinoma of the lung: Correlation between computed tomography images and EGFR and KRAS gene mutations

The aim of the present study was to compare pathological diagnoses, as determined by the new International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (IASLC/ATS/ERS) classification, with conventional radiological features. In addition, the present study aimed to evaluate the correlation among clinical characteristics, computed tomography (CT) images and gene mutation status in patients with stage IA adenocarcinoma of the lung. A total of 212 patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma were included in the study. The patients were classified into pure ground-glass opacity (pGGO), mixed GGO (mGGO) and solid GGO (sGGO) by CT imaging. Histological subtype was classified according to the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification of lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutation assays were performed, and 36.8% of patients (78/212) were determined to have an EGFR mutation, while 8.5% of patients (18/212) were found to have a KRAS mutation. According to the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification, 44 cases were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS; 20.8%), 62 cases were diagnosed as minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA; 29.2%) and 106 cases were classified as invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC; 50.0%). pGGO image patterns were observed in 39.2% of patients (n=83), while mGGO and sGGO patterns were observed in 28.8% (n=61) and 32.0% (n=68) of patients, respectively. From pGGO to sGGO, cases of AIS and MIA were shown to have a decreasing trend, while IAC cases exhibited an increasing trend (P=0.036). Analysis of the correlation between CT image patterns and gene mutations demonstrated that L858R point mutations, exon 19 deletions and KRAS mutations were more common in lesions with a lower GGO proportion (P=0.029, 0.027 and 0.018, respectively). Therefore, according to the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification, GGO imaging patterns were shown to correlate with subtypes of adenocarcinomas. In addition, EGFR and KRAS mutations were found to be associated with lesions with a low GGO proportion. Therefore, analysis of GGO lesions may offer useful indications of the histological subtype of an adenocarcinoma in patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, and predictive value for EGFR and KRAS mutations.

Epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma differ by frequency and type between Uighur and Han ethnic groups in Xinjiang Autonomous Region

Background

This study was designed to investigate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation types affecting lung cancer treatment in patients in Xinjiang, China. We detected and analyzed differences in the EGFR mutation points of Uighur and Han patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We examined 181 specimens of lung adenocarcinoma tissue embedded with paraffin (76 Uighur and 105 Han patients) for mutations in the EGFR gene in exon 18-21 by the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) method. We used the chi-square statistical method to analyze the relationship between mutations and patients’ clinical parameters.

Results

EGFR somatic mutations were detected in 59 of 181 cases (32.6%). The mutation rate was higher in Han patients (45.7%) than in Uighur patients (15.8%) (P < 0.001). The main mutation types were the exon 19 deletion and the L858R point mutation in exon 21. In Han patients we found 21 (44.7%) cases of exon 19 deletion, 24 (51.1%) cases of L858R in exon 21, 1 case (2.1%) with mutations in both exon 19 and exon 21, and 1 case (2.1%) with T790 mutation in exon 20. In Uighur patients we found 8 (66.7%) cases of exon 19 deletion and 4 (33.3%) cases of L858R in exon 21.

Conclusions

In comparing these groups, the exon 19 deletion was more common than L858R in exon 21 in Uighur patients. In Han patients, EGFR-sensitive mutations occurred in female, never-smoking patients with well-differentiated tumors; but for Uighur patients only smoking history showed an obvious correlation.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements in lung cancer with nodular ground-glass opacity

Background

Nodular ground-glass opacities (nGGO) are a specific type of lung adenocarcinoma. ALK rearrangements and driver mutations such as EGFR and K-ras are frequently found in all types of lung adenocarcinoma. EGFR mutations play a role in the early carcinogenesis of nGGOs, but the role of ALK rearrangement remains unknown.

Methods

We studied 217 nGGOs resected from 215 lung cancer patients. Pathology, tumor size, tumor disappearance rate, and the EGFR and ALK markers were analyzed.

Results

All but one of the resected nGGOs were adenocarcinomas. ALK rearrangements and EGFR mutations were found in 6 (2.8%) and 119 (54.8%) cases. The frequency of ALK rearrangement in nGGO was significantly lower than previously reported in adenocarcinoma. Advanced disease stage (p = 0.018) and larger tumor size (p = 0.037) were more frequent in the ALK rearrangement-positive group than in ALK rearrangement-negative patients. nGGOs with ALK rearrangements were associated with significantly higher pathologic stage and larger maximal and solid diameter in comparison to EGFR-mutated lesions.

Conclusion

ALK rearrangement is rare in lung cancer with nGGOs, but is associated with advanced stage and larger tumor size, suggesting its association with aggressive progression of lung adenocarcinoma. ALK rearrangement may not be important in early pathogenesis of nGGO.

Molecular profiling in non-small cell lung cancer: a step toward personalized medicine

CONTEXT

Lung carcinoma is the result of sequential accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes. Lung adenocarcinoma is a heterogeneous disease with diverse somatic mutations, and several of them include the so-called driver mutations, which may serve as "druggable" therapeutic targets. Thus, development of personalized approaches for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) mandates that pathologists make a precise histologic classification inclusive of routine molecular analysis of such tumors.

OBJECTIVE

To address the molecular mechanisms underlying NSCLC and how this knowledge reflects the multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of these patients. We will also summarize the current available and investigational personalized therapies for patients with resectable early-stage, unresectable locally advanced, and metastatic NSCLC.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed published literature and personal experience.

CONCLUSIONS

There are multiple mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, which operate in parallel and involve pathways of activation and inhibition of various cellular events. Further research is essential to characterize the histologic and mutational profiles of lung carcinomas, which will ultimately translate into improved and more personalized therapeutic management of patients with lung cancer.

[EGFR mutation status in Uighur lung adenocarcinoma patients]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane protein, is a member of the tyrosine kinase family. Gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, has shown a high response rate in the treatment of lung cancer in patients with EGFR mutation. However, significant differences in EGFR mutations exist among different ethnic groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of EGFR mutations in Uighur lung adenocarcinoma patients by using a rapid and sensitive detection method and to analyze EGFR mutation differences compared with Han lung adenocarcinoma patients.

METHODS

We examined lung adenocarcinoma tissues from 138 patients, including 68 Uighur lung adenocarcinoma patients and 70 Han lung adenocarcinoma patients, for EGFR mutations in exons 18, 19, 20, and 21 by using the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR method. The mutation differences between Uighur and Han lung adenocarcinoma were compared by using the chi-square test method.

RESULTS

EGFR mutations were detected in 43 (31.2%) of the 138 lung adenocarcinoma patients. EGFR mutations were detected in 11 (16.2%) of the 68 Uighur lung adenocarcinoma patients and in 32 (45.7%) of the 70 Han lung adenocarcinoma patients. Significant differences were observed in the EGFR mutations between Uighur lung adenocarcinoma patients and Han lung adenocarcinoma patients (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the EGFR mutation in Uighur lung adenocarcinoma patients (16.2%) is significantly lower than that in Han lung adenocarcinoma patients (45.7%).

Radiologic implications of the 2011 classification of adenocarcinoma of the lung

Now the leading subtype of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma received a new classification in 2011. For tumors categorized previously as bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), criteria and terminology had not been uniform, so the 2011 classification provided four new terms: (a) adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), representing histopathologically a small (≤3-cm), noninvasive lepidic growth, which at computed tomography (CT) is usually nonsolid; (b) minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, representing histopathologically a small (≤3-cm) and predominantly lepidic growth that has 5-mm or smaller invasion, which at CT is mainly nonsolid but may have a central solid component of up to approximately 5 mm; (c) lepidic predominant nonmucinous adenocarcinoma, representing histopathologically invasive adenocarcinoma that shows predominantly lepidic nonmucinous growth, which at CT is usually part solid but may be nonsolid or occasionally have cystic components; and (d) invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma, histopathologically showing lepidic growth as its predominant component, which at CT varies widely from solid to mostly solid to part solid to nonsolid and may be single or multiple (when multifocal, it was formerly called multicentric BAC). In addition, new histopathologic subcategories of acinar, papillary, micropapillary, and solid predominant adenocarcinoma are now described, all as nonmucinous, predominantly invasive, may include a small lepidic component, and at CT are usually solid but may include a small nonsolid component. The micropapillary subtype has a poorer prognosis than the other subtypes. In addition, molecular genetic correlations for the subcategories of adenocarcinoma of the lung are now a topic of increasing interest. As the new classification enters common use, further descriptions of related correlations can be anticipated.

Retrospective study of erlotinib in patients with advanced squamous lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The effective targeted therapy for lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is needed. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation rate is low in lung SCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of erlotinib treatment and EGFR mutation in lung SCC patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled lung cancer patients with SCC histology and history of erlotinib treatment. The primary objective was to assess overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) and the secondary objective was to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). EGFR mutations were assessed in parts of patients using both direct sequencing and protein nucleic acid-locked nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction (PNA-LNA PCR) clamp methods.

RESULTS

In total, 92 patients were analyzed (75 men and 17 women, median age 69 years, and 74 current or former smokers). Sixteen patients achieved partial response and 9 had stable disease. The ORR was 17.4% and the DCR was 27.2%. The PFS and OS were longer in patients with disease control than with progressive disease (PFS 7.8 versus 1.3 months and OS 20.7 versus 2.7 months, both p<0.0001). The 1-year survival rate was 21.7%. In 27 patients with adequate specimens for molecular analysis (including 4 PR and 4 SD), two (7.4%) had EGFR complex mutations. One patient experienced response to erlotinib and the other did not.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of lung SCC patients would derive a clinical benefit from erlotinib treatment. The relatively higher response rate than the EGFR mutation rate in present study needs further evaluation.