Multiple biological studies have demonstrated the important role of the signalling pathway mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the pathogenesis of many lung cancers. In the last decade, several molecular, clinical and pathological findings have demonstrated the importance of EGFR mutations as an activating mechanism for the signalling pathway, their increased incidence in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and, particularly, their role as a predictor of tyrosine kinase inhibitors response in the treatment of NSCLCs.
EGFR mutations can be identified in different biological samples using different techniques. In recent years in Spain this molecular alteration has been determined basically in a few centres or in the context of clinical trials. However, NSCLC must be treated in a taylor made way. In consequence, in order to an appropriate therapeutic strategy in patients with NSCLC can be established, EGFR mutation status should be done in more pathology services.
This paper makes general recommendations for the standardization of EGFR mutations identification, we describe the different techniques to perform molecular diagnosis and the clinical aspects directly implied in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.