Genotyping KRAS and EGFR Mutations in Greek Patients With Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: Incidence, Significance and Implications for Treatment

Abstract

Background/aim: KRAS mutations are reported in 20-25% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their prognostic role is unclear. We studied KRAS and EGFR genotyping in Greek NSCLC patients.

Patients and methods: KRAS and EGFR genotypes were centrally evaluated in 421 NSCLC patients (diagnosed September 1998 -June 2013) and associated with clinicopathological parameters. Outcome comparisons were performed in 288 patients receiving first line treatment.

Results: Most patients were male (78.6%), >60 years old (63.9%), current smokers (51.1%), with adenocarcinoma histology (63.9%). EGFR and KRAS mutations were found in 10.7% and 16.6% of all histologies, respectively, and in 14.9% and 21.9% of adenocarcinomas. At 4.5 years median follow-up, KRAS status was an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival (OS, p=0.016). KRAS mutations conferred 80% increased risk of death in patients receiving first-line treatment (p=0.002).

Conclusion: The presence of KRAS mutations is an independent negative prognosticator among Greek NSCLC patients and an independent response predictor to first line treatment.

Keywords: EGFR; KRAS; NSCLC; mutations; platinum-based chemotherapy.