title: Early Prediction of Response to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by Quantification of EGFR Mutations in Plasma of NSCLC Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The potential to accurately quantify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in plasma from non-small-cell lung cancer patients would enable more rapid and more frequent analyses to assess disease status; however, the utility of such analyses for clinical purposes has only recently started to explore.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma samples were obtained from 69 patients with EGFR-mutated tumors and 21 negative control cases. EGFR mutations in plasma were analyzed by a standardized allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and ultra-deep next-generation sequencing (NGS). A semiquantitative index (SQI) was derived from dilutions of known EGFR mutation copy numbers. Clinical responses were evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 criteria and expressed as percent tumor shrinkage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR test and NGS assay in plasma versus tissue were 72% versus 100% and 74% versus 100%, respectively. Quantitative indices by the PCR test and NGS were significantly correlated (p < 0.001). EGFR testing at baseline and serially at 4 to 60 days during tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy revealed a progressive decrease in SQI, starting from day 4, in 95% of cases. The rate of SQI decrease correlated with percent tumor shrinkage at 2 months (p < 0.0001); at 14 days, it was more than 50% in 70% of patients (rapid responders). In two patients with slow response, an early increase in the circulating levels of the T790M mutation was observed. No early T790M mutations were seen in plasma samples of rapid responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantification of EGFR mutations from plasma with a standardized PCR test is feasible. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a strong correlation between the EGFR SQI in the first days of treatment and clinical response with relevant implications for patient management.
authors: *Center of Predictive Molecular Medicine, Ce.S.I., G. D'Annunzio University-Foundation, Chieti, Italy; †Medical Scientific Affairs Department, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, California; ‡Oncological and Cardiovascular Molecular Medicine Unit, Ce.S.I., G. D'Annunzio University-Foundation, Chieti, Italy; §Division of Thoracic Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy; ‖Department of Medical Oncology, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy; ¶Department of Medical Oncology, Bellaria-Maggiore Hospital, Azienda USL of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; #Unit of Pneumology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy; **Ospedale Civile di Pescara, Pescara, Italy; ††Ospedale Civile di Sulmona, Sulmona, Italy; ‡‡Department of Medical Oncology, Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Bio-Oncologia, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy; §§Department of Oncology-Haematology, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS, Milan, Italy; and ‖‖Perugia University Medical School, Perugia, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Marchetti
authors: John F
authors: JF
authors: Palma
authors: Lara
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authors: Felicioni
authors: Tommaso M
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authors: De Pas
authors: Rita
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authors: Chiari
authors: Maela
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authors: Del Grammastro
authors: Giampaolo
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authors: Filice
authors: Vienna
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authors: Ludovini
authors: Alba A
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authors: Brandes
authors: Antonio
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authors: Chella
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authors: Guglielmi
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authors: De Tursi
authors: Armando
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authors: Santoro
authors: Lucio
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authors: Crinò
authors: Fiamma
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authors: Buttitta
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors