Characteristics of EGFR mutations in plasma samples from non-small cell lung cancer patients at Bach Mai Hospital during 2017-2018

Abstract

EGFR mutation plasma analysis on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has recently been widely used to assess the suitability of targeted therapy by TKIs and follow treatment responses. This study aims to describe EGFR mutation status detected in plasma samples and analyse some related factors. The study was conducted by detecting EGFR mutations using real-time PCR technique in 136 plasma samples of NSCLC patients at Bach Mai Hospital during 2017-2018. Results: EGFR mutations were detected in 56/136 (41.2%) plasma samples; the T790M mutation accounted for 24% of 75 mutations detected; the rate of EGFR mutations, respectively, in females was higher than in males (p=0.045), in non-smokers was higher than in smokers (p=0.027), and in the stage IV group was higher than in other stages (p=0.003); the T790M mutation ratio in treated patients with TKIs was more common than in non-treated patients (p=0.001). Conclusions: EGFR mutation plasma analysis is valuable in the detection of EGFR mutations, especially T790M mutations; in addition, EGFR mutation plasma tests help to monitor the disease progression.