EGFR mutation testing on plasma and urine samples: A pilot study evaluating the value of liquid biopsy in lung cancer diagnosis and management

Background: Cell free DNA (cfDNA) shed by cancer cells into blood and body fluids is a potential substrate for molecular testing. While plasma is approved for EGFR mutation testing in certain clinical settings, mutation testing on urine is not well explored in lung cancer. In this study, we assess the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of EGFR mutation analysis on plasma and urine samples. Methods: Matched plasma and urine were collected prospectively from TKI-naive lung adenocarcinoma (ADCA) patients (Group A) with available tumor tissue. Only plasma was collected from TKI-treated, known EGFR mutant ADCA patients developing TKI resistance (Group B). qPCR (tumor tissue) or digital droplet-PCR (urine/plasma) was performed for exon 19 deletions, exon 21 L858R and exon 20 T790M. Results: Eighty-one patients (60 Group A, 21 Group B) were included. In Group A, EGFR mutations were detected in tissue in 34/60 (57%) patients. Mutations were detected in matched plasma in 24 (24/34, 70.5% sensitivity), and in matched urine in 15 (15/25, 60% sensitivity) of the 34 EGFR mutant cases, with no false positives (100% positive predictive value). Plasma and urine mutation results showed moderate agreement (70%) with a combined sensitivity of 88% (22/25). In Group B, new T790M mutations were detected in plasma in 61% (13/21) patients. Con- clusion: Liquid biopsies show moderate sensitivity (plasma > urine) with 100% positive predictive rates for EGFR mutations. Testing of more than one type of liquid biopsy sample increases sensitivity. In TKI-resistant settings, liquid biopsies can obviate need for invasive biopsies in > 60% patients. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of EGFR mutation analysis on plasma and urine samples in lung adenocarcinoma patients. The results showed moderate sensitivity in liquid biopsies with 100% positive predictive rates for EGFR mutations. Testing of multiple types of liquid biopsy samples can increase sensitivity, and liquid biopsies may eliminate the need for invasive biopsies in over 60% of TKI-resistant patients.