Clinicopathological impact of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C in patients with EGFR-major mutant NSCLC receiving osimertinib

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as one of the resistant mechanisms to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). However, the relationship between the efficacy of osimertinib and protein expression of VEGF family members in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations remains unclear. Methods: A total of 76 patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR major mutations (del19 or L858R) receiving first-line osimertinib were eligible as the osimertinib (Osi) group, whereas 43 patients receiving first- or second-generation EGFR-TKIs were compared with the control group. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) in the tumor specimens was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Results: VEGFR2 and VEGF-C were highly expressed in 65.8% and 51.3% of patients, respectively, in the Osi group, and 69.7% and 76.7%, respectively, in the control group. High VEGFR2 and VEGF-C levels were significantly associated with poor performance status (PS) and female sex, respectively. In the Osi group, patients with co-high expression of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C showed significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those without co-high expression. In del19, VEGFR2 was a significant predictor of PFS and OS and independent predictor of OS in multivariate analysis. In L858R, co-high expression of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C was identified as a significant predictor of PFS and OS and independent predictor of PFS. Conclusion: VEGFR2 and VEGF-C are highly expressed in EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells. Increased expression of VEGFR2 was identified as a significant prognostic factor in patients with EGFR del19 mutation who received osimertinib, whereas co-high expression of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C was a significant predictor for those with EGFR L858R mutation.

Automated summary

VEGF is identified as a resistant mechanism to EGFR-TKIs in advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations. High expression of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C is associated with poor performance status and female sex. VEGFR2 is a prognostic factor in EGFR del19 mutation patients treated with osimertinib, while co-high expression of VEGFR2 and VEGF-C predicts survival outcomes in EGFR L858R mutation patients.