The EGFR gene can have mutations that cause the EGFR to be permanently activated, which in turn activates the tyrosine kinase enzyme, triggering reactions that cause the cells to grow and multiply. Those patients who have these mutations have EGFR mutation-positive disease.
NSCLC is the more common of the two forms of lung cancer. The other is small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which accounts for 15% of cases, whereas NSCLC accounts for approximately 85%.[7]
Approximately 10-15% of NSCLC patients in Europe[4,8,9] and 30-35% of NSCLC patients in Asia will have EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. [10,11]
EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC can be identified through biopsy testing at the point of diagnosis. This is an additional test that the oncologist requests along with other standard diagnostic tests (histology testing) to identify what kind of lung cancer a patient has. If done at the same time, this can avoid any delay in the start of treatment.
A number of different laboratory tests are currently available for this purpose, including DNA sequencing, Clamp (especially in Japan) and Melt analysis. In addition, there is a mutation detection technique called the TheraScreen EGFR29(R) (DxS).
For more information on EGFR mutation testing, please visit: http://www.egfr-mutation.com
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. As a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease medicines, AstraZeneca generated global revenues of US $32.8 billion in 2009. For more information please visit: http://www.astrazeneca.com
REFERENCES:
1. Yang C-H et al. Final overall survival (OS) results from a phase III: randomised, open-label, first-line study of gefitinib (G) v carboplatin/paclitaxel (C/P) in clinically selected patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Asia (IPASS). Presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, 2010.
2. Mok T et al. Gefitinib or carboplatin-paclitaxel in pulmonary adenocarcinoma. New England Journal Medication; 361: 947-957. 2009
3. Thongprasert S et al. Quality of life in a randomised Phase III first-line study of gefitinib vs. carboplatin/paclitaxel in clinically selected Asian patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer (IPASS). Presented at IASLC-ESMO meeting, April 2010.
4. IRESSA summary of product characteristics ( http://www.emea.europa.eu/humandocs/Huma...)
5. D'Addario G et al. Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology; 21 Suppl 5:v116-9. 2010.
6. AstraZeneca data on file. 2010.
7. Allen J et al. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 6 (3): 285-93. 2008.
8. Cortes-Funes H et al. Epidermal growth factor receptor activating mutations in Spanish gefitinib-treated non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Annals of Oncology; 16(7);1081-1086. 2005.
9. Rosell R et al. Screening for epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung cancer. New England Journal of Medicine; 361:958-967. 2009.
10. Tokumo M et al. The relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and clinicopathologic features in non-small cell lung cancers. Clinical Cancer Research; 11; 1167-1173. 2005.
11. Yoshida K et al. Prospective validation for prediction of gefitinib sensitivity by epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. Journal of Thoracic Oncology; 2(1); 22-28. 2007.
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