BACKGROUND: The association of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations with the response to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents in non-small-cell lung cancer patients has not been investigated. We retrospectively analyzed the associations between response to chemotherapy and molecular markers associated with gefitinib responsiveness including EGFR mutations. METHODS: EGFR (exons 18, 19 and 21) and K-ras mutations (exon 2) were studied by direct sequencing and p-Erk and p-Akt expressions were studied by immunohistochemistry in archival paraffin embedded tissues. Response rate (RR) and time-to-progression (TTP) of prior chemotherapy by platinum, paclitaxel and gemcitabine were analyzed with respect to the presence of EGFR and K-ras mutations, and p-Erk and p-Akt expressions. RESULTS: Of 90 patients investigated, 75 received platinums and 45 received paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy agents. The RRS and TTPS of platinum- and paclitaxel-containing regimens were not affected by EGFR or K-ras mutations, nor by p-Erk or p-Akt expression. Fifty-seven patients received gemcitabine as first- or second-line chemotherapy. RR was not affected by EGFR or K-ras mutations or by p-Akt expression. However, all responders to gemcitabine exhibited (+) p-Erk expression [RR 30.6% for p-Erk (+) versus 0% for p-Erk (-), P = 0.01]. TTP was not affected by EGFR or K-ras mutations or by p-Erk or p-Akt expression. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR mutations did not affect response to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, namely platinums, paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Our results also suggest that it may be undesirable to use gemcitabine in patients with tumors not expressing p-Erk.
BACKGROUND: The association of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations with the response to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents in non-small-cell lung cancerpatients has not been investigated. We retrospectively analyzed the associations between response to chemotherapy and molecular markers associated with gefitinib responsiveness including EGFR mutations. METHODS:EGFR (exons 18, 19 and 21) and K-ras mutations (exon 2) were studied by direct sequencing and p-Erk and p-Akt expressions were studied by immunohistochemistry in archival paraffin embedded tissues. Response rate (RR) and time-to-progression (TTP) of prior chemotherapy by platinum, paclitaxel and gemcitabine were analyzed with respect to the presence of EGFR and K-ras mutations, and p-Erk and p-Akt expressions. RESULTS: Of 90 patients investigated, 75 received platinums and 45 received paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy agents. The RRS and TTPS of platinum- and paclitaxel-containing regimens were not affected by EGFR or K-ras mutations, nor by p-Erk or p-Akt expression. Fifty-seven patients received gemcitabine as first- or second-line chemotherapy. RR was not affected by EGFR or K-ras mutations or by p-Akt expression. However, all responders to gemcitabine exhibited (+) p-Erk expression [RR 30.6% for p-Erk (+) versus 0% for p-Erk (-), P = 0.01]. TTP was not affected by EGFR or K-ras mutations or by p-Erk or p-Akt expression. CONCLUSIONS:EGFR mutations did not affect response to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, namely platinums, paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Our results also suggest that it may be undesirable to use gemcitabine in patients with tumors not expressing p-Erk.
Authors: Christopher G Azzoli; Sherman Baker; Sarah Temin; William Pao; Timothy Aliff; Julie Brahmer; David H Johnson; Janessa L Laskin; Gregory Masters; Daniel Milton; Luke Nordquist; David G Pfister; Steven Piantadosi; Joan H Schiller; Reily Smith; Thomas J Smith; John R Strawn; David Trent; Giuseppe Giaccone Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2009-11-16 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Luis Paz-Ares; Denis Soulières; Ivan Melezínek; Joachim Moecks; Lorenz Keil; Tony Mok; Rafael Rosell; Barbara Klughammer Journal: J Cell Mol Med Date: 2009-12-08 Impact factor: 5.310