EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR MUTATIONAL PROFILE IN LUNG CANCER - MOROCCAN COHORT

Background: Lung cancer constitutes the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, with approximately 85% of lung cancer cases being non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) histological type. The study of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutational profile in non-small cell lung cancer patients has a special clinical significance in the selection of patients for tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency and spectrum of EGFR mutations in a cohort of Moroccan patients with lung cancer using the ADx- ARMS technology as routine method. Materials and methods: We performed this study by processing 164 cases of NSCLC patients recruited between 2015 and 2018. Using the DNA extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffin- embedded FFPE tissue, we evaluated EGFR mutations using HRM-PCR, real time PCR “ADx- ARMS technology for results confirmation. Results: The distribution of EGFR mutations in our cohort was as follows: 70% of patients having a deletion in exon 19, 10% in exon 21(L858R), 10% in exon 20 and 10% in exon 18 (G719X). Conclusion: These results shows the need to incorporate the EGFR mutation test into routine practice and to develop rapid technological approaches in our laboratories for the availability of effective targeted therapy.