Epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations in early pulmonary adenocarcinomas
Nakamura, H.; Kawasaki, N.; Taguchi, M.; Kato, H.
Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Official Journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia 13(2): 87-92
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1341-1098 PMID: 17505415 Document Number: 612367
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are frequently found in pulmonary adenocarcinomas. Various lung cancers (n=30) including 8 small adenocarcinomas were examined for EGFR gene mutations in three exons. Mutations were detected in 32% of adenocarcinomas. Exon 19 mutations were detected in 5 tumors, often advanced stages: 1 in Noguchi's pathologic type C, 2 in type D, and 2 in type F. Exon 21 mutations were detected in 3 tumors, all small adenocarcinomas in type C, at pathologic stage IA. We suspect that exon 21 mutations are early events in small bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, while exon 19 mutations are later events occurring in adenocarcinomas of various types.