title: Low incidence of EGFR and HRAS mutations in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of a German cohort.
abstract: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The response of patients with lung cancer to EGFR inhibitors is significantly associated with the presence of EGFR mutations. Although these drugs have already been used for the treatment of advanced cutaneous SCC, the knowledge about EGFR mutations in this cancer is limited to one previous study in the US population. We analysed the presence of EGFR and concomitant HRAS mutations in a German cohort of 31 patients with cutaneous SCC by direct sequencing of EGFR and SNaPshot analysis of concomitant RAS mutations. We found a low prevalence of EGFR mutations (1/31; 3%) and HRAS mutations (1/31; 3%). The detected P741L EGFR mutation was proven to be somatic. Our results indicate that both EGFR and HRAS mutations are rare events in the carcinogenesis of cutaneous SCC, and therefore, only a small subgroup of patients will benefit from the screening for EGFR mutations in the run-up to targeted therapies with EGFR inhibitors.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauerer
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herschberger
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dietmaier
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landthaler
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hafner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018773:Genes, erbB-1; D011905:Genes, ras; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers