BACKGROUND: A fusion gene between echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has recently been identified in nonsmall-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). We screened for EML4-ALK fusion genes and examined the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of fusion-harboring NSCLC tumors. METHODS: We examined 313 NSCLC samples from patients who underwent resection at our hospital between May 2001 and July 2005. We screened for the fusion genes using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and confirmed the results with direct sequencing. We also examined mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), KRAS, and ERBB2 genes. RESULTS: Five EML4-ALK fusion genes were detected (four from 111 female samples and one from 202 male samples; 1.6% overall). All five genes were found in adenocarcinomas and accounted for 2.4% of the 211 adenocarcinoma samples. One EML4-ALK fusion was variant 1, and two were variant 3. In addition, we also found two new fusion variants. Patients with fusion-positive tumors were nonsmokers or light smokers. Among the 211 adenocarcinomas, mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and ERBB2 were detected in 105, 29, and 7 tumors, respectively. Interestingly, all of the fusion-positive NSCLCs had no mutations within these genes. CONCLUSIONS: EML4-ALK fusion genes were observed predominantly in adenocarcinomas, in female or nonsmoking populations. Additionally, the EML4-ALK fusions were mutually exclusive with mutations in the EGFR, KRAS, and ERBB2 genes.
BACKGROUND: A fusion gene between echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has recently been identified in nonsmall-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). We screened for EML4-ALK fusion genes and examined the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of fusion-harboring NSCLC tumors. METHODS: We examined 313 NSCLC samples from patients who underwent resection at our hospital between May 2001 and July 2005. We screened for the fusion genes using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and confirmed the results with direct sequencing. We also examined mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), KRAS, and ERBB2 genes. RESULTS: Five EML4-ALK fusion genes were detected (four from 111 female samples and one from 202 male samples; 1.6% overall). All five genes were found in adenocarcinomas and accounted for 2.4% of the 211 adenocarcinoma samples. One EML4-ALK fusion was variant 1, and two were variant 3. In addition, we also found two new fusion variants. Patients with fusion-positive tumors were nonsmokers or light smokers. Among the 211 adenocarcinomas, mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and ERBB2 were detected in 105, 29, and 7 tumors, respectively. Interestingly, all of the fusion-positive NSCLCs had no mutations within these genes. CONCLUSIONS:EML4-ALK fusion genes were observed predominantly in adenocarcinomas, in female or nonsmoking populations. Additionally, the EML4-ALK fusions were mutually exclusive with mutations in the EGFR, KRAS, and ERBB2 genes.
Authors: Alice T Shaw; Beow Y Yeap; Benjamin J Solomon; Gregory J Riely; Justin Gainor; Jeffrey A Engelman; Geoffrey I Shapiro; Daniel B Costa; Sai-Hong I Ou; Mohit Butaney; Ravi Salgia; Robert G Maki; Marileila Varella-Garcia; Robert C Doebele; Yung-Jue Bang; Kimary Kulig; Paulina Selaru; Yiyun Tang; Keith D Wilner; Eunice L Kwak; Jeffrey W Clark; A John Iafrate; D Ross Camidge Journal: Lancet Oncol Date: 2011-09-18 Impact factor: 41.316
Authors: F Couñago; A Rodríguez; P Calvo; J Luna; J L Monroy; B Taboada; V Díaz; N Rodríguez de Dios Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2016-04-22 Impact factor: 3.405
Authors: Dara L Aisner; Teresa T Nguyen; Diego D Paskulin; Anh T Le; Jerry Haney; Nathan Schulte; Fiona Chionh; Jenny Hardingham; John Mariadason; Niall Tebbutt; Robert C Doebele; Andrew J Weickhardt; Marileila Varella-Garcia Journal: Mol Cancer Res Date: 2013-12-02 Impact factor: 5.852