Driven Gene in Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognosis.

Background and objective It has been proven that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and KRS are common driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Molecular targeted therapy increases the overall response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with EGFR-sensitive mutation or echinoderm microtubule-associated protein like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) fusion. However, target and targeted drugs for lung squamous cell carcinoma to indicate clinical therapy remain to be confrmed. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the status of driver genes and the clinicopathologic characteristics of NSCLC. Methods A total of 90 patients were recruited and tested for EGFR, ALK and KRS mutations. The status of EGFR and KRS was tested by amplifcation refractory mutation system, and the status of ALK was tested by fuorescence in situ hybridization. Results Of the 90 patients, 8 patients had EGFR mutation (8.8%), and 2 cases had KRS mutation (2.2%). EML4-ALK fusion was found in 1 of 18 patients (5.6%). EGFR mutation occurred more frequently in females than in males (P=0.022). Significant differences were observed in pathological stage (P=0.042) and differentiation grade (P=0.003). No significant difference in PFS was observed between EGFR-TKI treatment and chemotherapy in EGFR mutation patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (P=0.607). Patients with EML4-ALK fusion could beneft from targeted therapy. Conclusion EML4-ALK fusion occurred more frequently than EGFR and KRS mutations in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Clinicopathologic characteristics were different between EGFR mutation and EGFR wild-type patients. The relationship between molecular targeted therapy and status of EGFR or ALK genes in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]