EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung parenchyma of subjects with EGFR/KRAS wild-type lung adenocarcinoma

Chalela Rengifo, Roberto José, 1985-; González-García, José Gregorio; Khilzi, Karys; Curull Serrano, Víctor; Sánchez Font, Albert; Longarón Rozalen, Raquel; Rodrigo Calvo, Maria Teresa; Martín-Ontiyuelo, Clara; Gea Guiral, Joaquim; Bellosillo Paricio, Beatriz

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/pore.2021.598292

EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung parenchyma of subjects with EGFR/KRAS wild-type lung adenocarcinoma

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Chalela R, González-García JG, Khilzi K, Curull V, Sánchez-Font A, Longarón R, Rodrigo-Calvo MT, Martín-Ontiyuelo C, Gea J, Bellosillo B. EGFR and KRAS mutations in lung parenchyma of subjects with EGFR/KRAS wild-type lung adenocarcinoma. Pathol Oncol Res. 2021;27:598292. DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.598292

Abstract

The acquisition of driver mutations in non-tumoral cells appears to be very important during the carcinogenesis of adenocarcinoma (ADC). Recent studies suggest that cancer-related mutations may not necessarily be present only in malignant cells, but also in histologically "healthy cells". Objective: to demonstrate the presence of EGFR or KRAS mutations in non-tumoral lung cells in subjects with ADC and negative mutational status. Results: mutations in EGFR or KRAS oncogenes were identified in the normal lung in 9.7% of the subjects. Exon 21 substitution L858R in EGFR was detected in two cases while the exon 19 deletion E746-A750 in the EGFR, the G12C and G12D substitutions in the KRAS were detected once. One patient presented three different mutations in the normal lung parenchyma (EGFR_L858R, KRAS_G12C and KRAS_G12D). The negative-mutation status of the tumor and the mutations detected in the "normal lung" were confirmed using highly sensitive and specific TaqMan PCR (CAST-PCR). No differences were found in terms of progression, progression-free survival or overall survival during the 18 months follow-up. Conclusions: These results confirm the presence of driver mutations in the histologically normal lung parenchyma cells in the absence of mutations coexisting with the primary tumor.