BioCAST/IFCT-1002: epidemiological and molecular features of lung cancer in never-smokers

Eur Respir J. 2015 May;45(5):1403-14. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00097214. Epub 2015 Feb 5.

Abstract

Lung cancer in never-smokers (LCINS) (fewer than 100 cigarettes in lifetime) is considered as a distinct entity and harbours an original molecular profile. However, the epidemiological and molecular features of LCINS in Europe remain poorly understood. All consecutive newly diagnosed LCINS patients were included in this prospective observational study by 75 participating centres during a 14-month period. Each patient completed a detailed questionnaire about risk factor exposure. Biomarker and pathological analyses were also collected. We report the main descriptive overall results with a focus on sex differences. 384 patients were included: 65 men and 319 women. 66% had been exposed to passive smoking (significantly higher among women). Definite exposure to main occupational carcinogens was significantly higher in men (35% versus 8% in women). A targetable molecular alteration was found in 73% of patients (without any significant sex difference): EGFR in 51%, ALK in 8%, KRAS in 6%, HER2 in 3%, BRAF in 3%, PI3KCA in less than 1%, and multiple in 2%. We present the largest and most comprehensive LCINS analysis in a European population. Physicians should track occupational exposure in men (35%), and a somatic molecular alteration in both sexes (73%).

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Carcinogens
  • Cohort Studies
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • France
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / genetics
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Carcinogens
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PI3KCA protein, human
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution
  • Transcription Factors
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)