title: EGFR testing and clinical management of advanced NSCLC: a Galician Lung Cancer Group study (GGCP 048-10).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the incidence of mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in the Galician region of Spain and the clinical management and outcome of patients carrying EGFR mutations.
  
  
  METHODS
  All newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients were screened for EGFR mutations in matched tumor samples (tissue or cytology specimens) and serum samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 198 patients screened for EGFR mutations in tumor samples, 184 had evaluable data and, of these, 25 (13.6%) had EGFR mutations (84% sensitizing mutations). EGFR mutation was found in serum in 14 (8.1%) patients (of 174 evaluable). Compared to matched tumor tissue, serum EGFR mutation testing specificity and sensitivity were 99% and 52%, respectively. All but two patients received gefitinib. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10 (95% confidence interval: 4.8-15.3) months and 17.8 (95% confidence interval: 13.9-21.6) months, respectively, in patients carrying sensitizing mutations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of EGFR mutations in Galicia is consistent with previous data in Spain. Our results also support the feasibility of EGFR testing to guide treatment decision making using tumor tissue or cytology samples, or serum samples if tumor specimens are unavailable. These findings also confirm that first-line gefitinib is an active treatment option in Caucasians with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Lucus Augusti University Hospital, Lugo, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casal
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Complex of Ferrol, Ferrol, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Afonso Afonso
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Complex of Ourense, Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fírvida
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department Povisa Hospital, Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santomé
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barón
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Complex of Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lázaro
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Complex of Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pena
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Oncology Center of Galicia, A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amenedo
authors.affiliation: Anatomical Pathology Department, University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Ihab
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abdulkader
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca, Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González-Arenas
authors.affiliation: Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine-SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela Clinic Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fachal
authors.affiliation: Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine-SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela Clinic Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vega
keywords: EGFR gene mutation; EGFR mutation testing; EGFR tyrosine inhibitors; TKIs; epidermal growth factor receptor; non-small-cell lung cancer