BACKGROUND: Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib that target the kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are making successful progression for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treatment. The growing evidences revealed that EGFR exon 19 and 21 mutation status in NSCLC patients was correlated with the outcome for EGFR-TKI treatment. In this study, two methods of Real-time PCR and DNA sequencing were compared to detected EGFR exon 19 and 21 mutations. METHODS: EGFR exon19 mutation del-E746-A750 and exon 21mutation L858R were detected by Real-time PCR and DNA sequencing in 103 NSCLC patients. Chi-square test was used to analyze the consistance. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two methods. However, Real-time PCR was more convenient and sensitive compared to DNA sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time PCR was more suitable for clinical testing than DNA sequencing.
BACKGROUND: Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib that target the kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are making successful progression for advanced non-small cell lung cancerpatients treatment. The growing evidences revealed that EGFR exon 19 and 21 mutation status in NSCLCpatients was correlated with the outcome for EGFR-TKI treatment. In this study, two methods of Real-time PCR and DNA sequencing were compared to detected EGFR exon 19 and 21 mutations. METHODS:EGFR exon19 mutation del-E746-A750 and exon 21mutation L858R were detected by Real-time PCR and DNA sequencing in 103 NSCLCpatients. Chi-square test was used to analyze the consistance. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two methods. However, Real-time PCR was more convenient and sensitive compared to DNA sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time PCR was more suitable for clinical testing than DNA sequencing.