[Research status on molecular targeted therapy for squamous-cell lung cancer]

[Driven Gene in Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognosis]

BACKGROUND

It has been proven that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and KRAS are common driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Molecular targeted therapy increases the overall response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with EGFR-sensitive mutation or echinoderm microtubule-associated protein like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) fusion. However, target and targeted drugs for lung squamous cell carcinoma to indicate clinical therapy remain to be confirmed. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the status of driver genes and the clinicopathologic characteristics of NSCLC.

METHODS

A total of 90 patients were recruited and tested for EGFR, ALK and KRAS mutations. The status of EGFR and KRAS was tested by amplification refractory mutation system, and the status of ALK was tested by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Of the 90 patients, 8 patients had EGFR mutation (8.8%), and 2 cases had KRAS mutation (2.2%). EML4-ALK fusion was found in 1 of 18 patients (5.6%). EGFR mutation occurred more frequently in females than in males (P=0.022). Significant differences were observed in pathological stage (P=0.042) and differentiation grade (P=0.003). No significant difference in PFS was observed between EGFR-TKI treatment and chemotherapy in EGFR mutation patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (P=0.607). Patients with EML4-ALK fusion could benefit from targeted therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

EML4-ALK fusion occurred more frequently than EGFR and KRAS mutations in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Clinicopathologic characteristics were different between EGFR mutation and EGFR wild-type patients. The relationship between molecular targeted therapy and status of EGFR or ALK genes in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma needs further investigation.

[Detection and Analysis of EGFR and KRAS Mutations in the Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas]

背景与目的

表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR)突变和KRAS基因突变是非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)靶向治疗的重要分子标志, 但关于肺鳞癌中EGFR和KRAS基因突变情况的报道甚少。本研究旨在分析肺鳞癌EGFR和KRAS基因突变与临床特征的关系。

方法

收集初治肺鳞癌患者139例, 有可供检测的肿瘤组织标本。利用突变富集液相芯片法进行EGFR和KRAS基因突变检测。

结果

139例肺鳞癌中, EGFR基因突变25例(18%), KRAS基因突变7例(5%), EGFR和KRAS基因同时发生突变1例(0.7%)。女性和不吸烟患者EGFR基因突变率高于男性和吸烟患者(33.3% vs 16.5%, 29.6% vs 16.1%), 但差异均无统计学意义(P > 0.05, P > 0.05);不同年龄、分期及病理取材标本之间差异均无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。男性患者KRAS基因突变率高于女性患者(5.5% vs 0%), 但差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05);在不同年龄、分期、病理取材标本及是否吸烟各亚组分析中KRAS基因突变差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。

结论

肺鳞癌患者EGFR和KRAS基因突变发生率均较低, 且都与临床特征无明显相关。肺鳞癌患者使用酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(tyrosine kinase inhibitors, TKIs)靶向治疗药物之前, 也应检测EGFR基因和KRAS基因的突变情况。