Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation does not correlate with platinum resistance in ovarian carcinoma. Results of a prospective pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Different studies have demonstrated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status as an independent prognostic factor for ovarian cancer (OC). Recent studies in non-small cell lung cancer suggest that the presence of a clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors correlates with somatic mutations in the kinase domain of EGFR, exons 18-21. For patients with OC, data are not available on EGFR gene mutation.


METHODS
Shock-frozen samples from 32 patients with OC were screened for L858R deletion mutations of EGFR within exon 21 of the kinase domain and 15 bp deletion in exon 19. Additionally, nine commercially available OC cell lines and 32 established OC lines were analysed.


RESULTS
In cell lines, as well as in tumor samples, stratified to platinum-free therapy interval, no mutation of the EGFR gene was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Mutations in the kinase domain of the EGFR, exons 19 and 21, are absent or very infrequent in patients with OC.
Mustea
Alexander
A
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Charité, Medical University of Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. alexander.mustea@charite.de
Sehouli
Jalid
J
Fabjani
Gerhild
G
Koensgen
Dominique
D
Möbus
V
V
Braicu
Elena Ioana
EI
Pirvulescu
Cristina
C
Thomas
Anke
A
Tong
Dan
D
Zeillinger
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017671:Platinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D013534:Survival
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017671:Platinum Compounds; D066246:ErbB Receptors