title: Is cytology reliable for epidermal growth factor receptor gene evaluation in non-small cell lung cancer?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bozzetti
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiseo
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lagrasta
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nizzoli
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guazzi
authors.forename: Gallia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Graiani
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rindi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoni
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors