Heregulin expression and its clinical implication for patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer treated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

ABSTRACT: Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are standard therapy for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preclinically, HER3 ligand heregulin induces resistance to EGFR-TKIs, whereas the pan-human EGFR family inhibitor afatinib remains effective. Here, we examined whether soluble heregulin levels have clinical implications for EGFR-mutant NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs. Soluble heregulin was immunologically measured in plasma from EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. Cutoff values were determined by 1-year PFS ROC curve. The relationship between soluble heregulin and PFS following EGFR-TKI therapy was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards model. Seventy-three patients were enrolled: 44 were treated with 1^st-generation and 29 with 2^nd-genera

SUBMITTER: Yonesaka K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6925200 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature