Overall Survival Analysis and Characterization of an EGFR Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Population.

BACKGROUND

Patients with activating somatic mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have better clinical outcomes when treated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) over chemotherapy. However, the impact of the use of TKIs on overall survival outside clinical trials is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize and analyze the overall survival of a Caucasian population with NSCLC and EGFR mutations.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of patients with NSCLC screened for EGFR mutations (exons 18-21) between October 2009 and July 2013 was conducted. Clinical and pathological characteristics, mutational EGFR status, treatment and overall survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

From the 285 patients which performed screening for EGFR mutations, 54 (18.9%) had mutations, 25 (46.3%) of which in exon 19 and 20 of which (37.0%) in exon 21. The occurrence of mutations was associated with female sex and non-smoking habits (both, P<.001). The median survival of the global population was 12.0 months, with a better overall survival in mutated than non-mutated patients (20.0 vs 11.0 months, respectively; P=.007).

CONCLUSION

These data contribute for a better knowledge of our lung cancer population concerning the mutational status and clinical outcomes, confirming a better overall survival for the patients with EGFR TKI sensible mutations.