Evaluation of EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 mutations as predictive of disease recurrence in resected early non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs)

Purpose: Identification of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients at high-risk for recurrence after complete resection would potentially direct surveillance frequency and administration of adjuvant treatments. Genetic profiling of tumors could provide clinicians with information regarding recurrence risk. Conflicting evidence exists regarding EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 mutations as prognostic for recurrence. We aimed to test such mutations for prognostic significance in a cohort of early-resected NSCLC specimens. Materials and methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded stage I NSCLC specimens resected in our institute during 1988-2008 were sampled. DNA was extracted and a panel of common EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 mutations was tested using a mass-spectrometry- based technique. Clinical data were extracted from patients' files. Results: A total of 96 NSCLC stage I patients were included in this study. EGFR mutation frequency of 15.6 %, KRAS mutation frequency of 15.6 %, and a TP53 mutation frequency of 6.2 % were found. A nonsignificant trend for longer relapse-free survival (RFS) was seen for patients with an EGFR mutation, and a nonsignificant trend for worse RFS was found for patients with a KRAS mutation. Conclusion: EGFR mutation and KRAS mutation were not found to be prognostic for RFS in our cohort of early NSCLC. Larger cohorts and a broader genetic screen for mutations are required.