Correlation Between EGFR Mutations and Serum TumorMarkers in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Mutations affecting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are good predictors ofclinical efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Serumcarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are also regarded as predictive for the efficacy of EGFR-TKI andEGFR gene mutations. This study analyzed the association between EGFR gene mutations and clinical features,including serum tumor marker levels in lung adenocarcinomas patients. Patients and <br/><b>Methods</b>: A total of70 lung adenocarcinoma patients with complete clinical data and pathological specimens were investigated.EGFR gene mutations at exons 19 and 21 were assessed. Serum tumor markers were detected by protein chipchemiluminescenceat the corresponding time, and correlations were analyzed. <br/><b>Results</b>: Mutations of the EGFRgene were detected in 27 of the 70 patients and the serum CEA and CA242 concentrations were found to besignificantly associated with the incidence of EGFR gene mutations (P<0.05). The AUCs for CEA and CA242 were0.724 (95% CI: 0.598~0.850, P<0.05) and 0.769 (95% CI: 0.523~0.800, P<0.05) respectively. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: SerumCEA and CA242 levels are associated with mutations of the EGFR gene in patients with lung adenocarcinomas.