Study on mutations in exons 19, 20 and 21 of epidermal growth factor receptor gene in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate mutations in exons 19, 20 and 21 of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodsEGFR gene mutations in exons 19, 20 and 21 were detected by nested PCR amplification and DNA sequencing in 46 elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The relationship between mutations and clinical characteristics of these patients was analyzed. ResultsEGFR gene mutations were found in 56.5% (26/46) patients and 41.3% (19/46)were non-silent mutations. Mutation of exon 19 was detected in 6 cases (13.0%), mutation of exon 20 in 13 cases(28.2%) and that of exon 21 in 14 cases (30.4%). Seven patients among them had double mutations and the rest only had a single mutation. The incidence of EGFR gene mutations was higher in non-smokers than in smokers(P＜ 0.01). Higher EGFR mutation rate in exon 19, 20 and 21 were found in patients with clinical benefit who were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKl)(P＜0.05). There was no difference in EGFR mutation rate between 60～69 age group and 70～85 age group. ConclusionsThe data suggest that the characteristics of EGFR gene mutations in elderly patients with NSCLC is the same as in the general NSCLC patients. The forecast informations of TKI treatment can be obtained by gene detection in elderly NSCLC patients.