4061 - Prevalence of EGFR mutations and its correlation with Egyptian patients’ human kinetics (PEEK Study)

Background

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Knowledge is evolving regarding cancer driver genes. In Egypt, very limited data exist about cancer driver genes for non-small cell lung cancer. EGFR mutation testing was initiated in Egypt through a collaboration between Colors lab and AstraZeneca. Data collection was planned to detect the prevalence of EGFR and determine consequent medical decisions. In this real-world evidence context, we tried to sketch out the Egyptian EGFR gene mutations and correlatie them to patient demographics regarding gender, age, smoking history and pathological sub-types.

Methods

A total of 2017 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors from patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer were tested for EGFR mutation during the period between 2016 & 2018, following all aspects of GLP procedures including human rights, legal regulatory requirements, and AstraZeneca’s policy on bioethics. Patients were consented to collect their demographic and clinico-pathological data anonymously. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA FFPE Tissue Kit. Extracted samples were tested by use of Therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR Kit on Rotorgene^®, Qiagen.

Results

A total of 353 (17.5%) out of 2017 tested samples were positive for EGFR mutations. Mutations subtypes were detected in EGFR mutations presenting 151 (42.78%) for ex19 del, 106 (30.0%) for L858R point mutation, 39 (11.05%) for T790M mutations, 12 (3.4%) for insertions in exon 20, 8 (2.27%) for L861Q mutation, 8 (2.27%) for S768I mutation and 29 (8.22%) for other mutations. The older the patient age showed higher significance in prevalence rate (P < 0.001) than in younger age. EGFR prevalence was numerically (NS) higher among females than males. Both current and formerly smoking patients showed highly significant (P < 0.001) mutation frequencies compared with non-smokers. Adenocarcinoma showed a frequency of 55.8% with higher significance than other pathological cell types.

Conclusions

This is the first and largest study on EGFR mutation prevalence among Egyptian patients showing a slightly higher percentage than in European patients. Age, smoking status and pathological reports define significant impact on EGFR mutation pattern in Egyptian patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

AstraZeneca Egypt.

Funding

AstraZeneca Egypt.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.