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402968 | updated interp | 01/22/2019 1:50 PM |
Somatic mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are present in approximately 80% of the lung adenocarcinomas that respond to first and second generation EGFR inhibitors (eg, gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib). Two types of mutations account for approximately 80-90% of all EGFR mutations: short in-frame deletions in Exon 19 and a point mutation in exon 21 at codon 858 (L858R). Other less common mutations in exons 18, 20, and 21 are found in 10-20% of EGFR-mutated cases. EGFR Exon 19 deletions , EGFR Exon 21 L858R and EGFR Exon 18 G719 mutations correlate strongly with sensitivity to specific EGFR inhibitors and the response rate to therapy with TKIs has been reported to be up to 80% in such cases. Among the EGFR mutations in exon 20 are the very rare H773L and V774M mutations, which are generally associated with poor treatment response to EGFR inhibitors. Of note, H773L and V774M mutations may be present on the same allele in some patients which is a finding of uncertain clinical significance.
EGFR exon 20 insertion testing identifies a distinct subset of lung adenocarcinomas, accounting for at least 9% of all EGFR-mutated cases and by molecular modeling, are predicted to have potentially different effects on erlotinib binding. Studies show that in contrast to the more classic activating EGFR mutations, these insertions have been associated with de novo resistance to approved EGFR-TKIs (erlotinib and gefitinib). In a recent study, patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma harboring exon 20 insertions demonstrated no response or partial response following treatment with TK inhibitors. This rare complex mutation (p.H773_V774delinsLM) results in the H773L/V774 mutation compound at the same allele, potentially weakening the inactive state and leading to constitutional activation of EGFR. A recent clinical report suggests this mutation is insensitive to the reversible TKI gefitinib, but can be suppressed by the irreversible TKI osimertinib, leading to sustained disease control (Yang et al., Lung Cancer, 121:1-4, 2018). Exon 20 insertion mutations in EGFR may be associated with clinical trials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/).