Smoking habit and chemo-radiotherapy and/or surgery affect the sensitivity of EGFR plasma test in non-small cell lung cancer

• Published in: BMC research notes 2020-08, Vol.13 (1), p.367-367, Article 367
• Main Authors: Tran, Vinh Thanh, Phan, Thang Thanh, Nguyen, Son Truong, Tran, Bich-Thu, Ho, Toan Trong, Pho, Suong Phuoc, Nguyen, Tran Bao, Pham, Tuyen Thi Bich, Le, Anh Tuan, Le, Vu Thuong, Nguyen, Hang Thuy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - therapy; Care and treatment; cfDNA; Chemoradiotherapy; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Diagnosis; DNA; EGFR mutations; Epidermal growth factor; Epidermal growth factor receptors; Epidermal growth factors; ErbB Receptors - genetics; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Humans; Laboratories; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - therapy; Metastasis; Methods; Mutation; Non-small cell lung cancer; Non-small cell lung carcinoma; NSCLC; Patient outcomes; Patients; Plasma; Pleural effusion; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy; Research Note; Sensitivity; Sensitivity analysis; Small cell lung carcinoma; Smoking; Studies; Surgery; Testing
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05209-9

This study aimed to identify the influential factors for the sensitivity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plasma test in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The mutations were detected in tumor tissue and matched plasma samples from 125 newly diagnosed adenocarcinoma, clinical-stage IIIB-IV patients, and compared the diagnostic values of EGFR plasma test between groups of clinical characteristics. The influential factors for the sensitivity were identified and assessed by logistic regression. EGFR mutations were detected in 65 (52.0%) tumor tissue and 50 (40.0%) matched plasma samples (P = 0.028). Compared to the tissue method, the concordance rate, sensitivity, and specificity of the EGFR plasma test were 86.4%, 75.4%, and 98.3%, respectively. Notably, we found that sensitivity of the test is higher in non-smokers (84.1%) compared to smokers (57.1%, P = 0.018), and in treatment naïve subjects (85.7%) compared to whom undergone chemo-radiotherapy with/without surgery before testing (56.5%, P = 0.009). Furthermore, the highest sensitivity was attained in patients without these two factors (90.3%), whilst the lowest value was noted in those with both factors (40.0%, P = 0.004). The multivariable analysis confirmed that smoking habit and treatment history have independently negative impacts on sensitivity (OR = 0.24, P = 0.019, and OR = 0.36, P = 0.047, respectively).