Is cytology reliable for epidermal growth factor receptor gene evaluation in non-small cell lung cancer?
BACKGROUND
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number has been proposed as predictor of response to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Cytologic and matched histologic samples from 33 primary non-small cell lung cancers were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for epidermal growth factor receptor gene.


RESULTS
FISH was positive in 52% and negative in 35% of the 31 matched evaluable samples. Four of 31 (13%) cases were discordant (K = 0.736; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data support the feasibility and reliability of epidermal growth factor receptor gene assessment by FISH on cytology.
Bozzetti
Cecilia
C
Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Tiseo
Marcello
M
Lagrasta
Costanza
C
Nizzoli
Rita
R
Guazzi
Annamaria
A
Graiani
Gallia
G
Rindi
Guido
G
Ardizzoni
Andrea
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors