Interdisciplinary consensus for predictive testing of activation mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in non-small cell lung cancer
Abstract
Experts from various fields playing role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer - NSCLC have achieved consensus on the answers to basic questions (tissue sampling, determination of morphological diagnosis, obtaining material for genetic testing, testing of mutations and treatment). All patients with NSCLC who are candidates for treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) should be tested automatically.
Collection of material for genetic testing must not lead to threatening of histopathological diagnosis. Testing of the presence of somatic mutations in exons 19 and 21 of the EGFR gene is performed.
If a late relapse of the tumor occurs, it is recommended to obtain new sample of the tumor tissue. Testing laboratory must be able to perform molecular genetic tests by at least two independent methods.
The close cooperation between the histopathological and molecular genetic laboratories as well as external quality control are essential.