ForeSENTIA EGFR PANEL

Scientific Background

The ForeSENTIA EGFR Gene-Focused Panel tests for single nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions on the EGFR gene. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a gene that is transcribed into a tyrosine kinase receptor protein. This protein is essential in cell growth, regulation of cell signaling pathways, and cell proliferation.

In cancer, the EGFR gene is frequently mutated resulting in abnormal regulation of the cell signaling pathways and ultimately uncontrolled growth of the cancer cells. Examples of cancers that were previously found to be mutated are NSCLC, colorectal, glioma, and others. Different mutations of the EGFR gene have been observed in cancer patients.

There are several drugs that are currently used for certain tumors and target EGFR mutations. Some examples include erlotinib, afatinib cetuximab, and others.

Recommendations by professional bodies: 

College of American Pathologists recommends genetic testing of the EGFR gene in patients with lung cancer to identify first- and second-generation targeted therapies (Lindeman et al., 2013).

References and more information: 

• de Castro-Carpeno J, Belda-Iniesta C, Casado Saenz E, Hernandez Agudo E, Feliu Batlle J, Gonzalez Baron M. EGFR and colon cancer: a clinical view. Clin Transl Oncol. 2008;10:6–13.

• Oh BY, Lee RA, Chung SS, Kim KH. Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in colorectal cancer patients. J Korean Soc Coloproctol. 2011 Jun;27(3):127-32. doi: 10.3393/jksc.2011.27.3.127. Epub 2011 Jun 30. PMID: 21829767; PMCID: PMC3145883.

• Lindeman NI, Cagle PT, Beasley MB, Chitale DA, Dacic S, Giaccone G, et al. Molecular testing guideline for selection of lung cancer patients for EGFR and ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors: guideline from the College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Association for Molecular Pathology. J Thorac Oncol. 2013;8(7):823–859. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e318290868f