NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER SUCEPTIBILITY TO GEFITINIB EGFR gene analysis

NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER SUCEPTIBILITY TO GEFITINIB
EGFR gene analysis

Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and 85% of the cases are due to non-small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy remains marginally effective for these cancers. However, about 10% of individuals with non-small cell lung cancer respond rapidly and dramatically to therapy with Gefitinib. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, targets the ATP cleft within the epidermal growth factor receptor protein (EGFR). It was recently discovered that the patients with responsive tumors harbor a number of different mutations in exons 18-21 of the EGFR gene (chromosome 7p12.3-p12.1). Both hot spot and unique mutations have been described. A mutation in exons that comprise the ATP-binding cleft appear to cause an increase in tyrosine kinase activity as well as increased sensitivity to Gefitinib There appears to be no therapeutic value of Gefitinib therapy to patients that do not carry a mutation in the EGFR gene.

REASONS FOR REFERRAL:

To determine whether a non-small cell lung cancer in a patient may be responsive to gefitinib.
To develop markers for the assessment of minimum residual disease during therapy.
To assess whether additional tumors may be result of metastasis

TESTING METHODOLOGY:

Sequencing of exons 18 –21 of the EGFR gene.

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS:

Tumor: Fresh or frozen tumor tissue
Paraffin block or unstained paraffin slices with an adjacent stained slide from the tumor paraffin block

A Molecular Genetics Laboratory Test Requisition must accompany the specimen. Contact the Molecular Laboratory at 918-502-1721 to obtain further information.

TURNAROUND TIME: 3 Weeks

CPT CODES: