Detection of EGFR and KRAS gene mutations using suspension liquid-based cytology specimens in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma

Background The detection of EGFR and KRAS mutations of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma using liquid-based cytology suspension routine specimens from fine-needle aspiration remains controversial. Results The DNA of all specimens was extracted and real time PCR was performed successfully. The rate of EGFR and KARS mutations was 37.7% (58/154) and 5.8% (9/154), respectively. EGFR mutation rate was significantly higher in females than that in males (47.8% vs. 29.4%, P = 0.019). There were no significant differences among different age groups or different tumor sites. These results of EGFR and KRAS mutations using LBC specimens were consistant with the tissue samples. In 30 patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, complete response, partial response, stable disease and progress disease was observed in 2, 10, 13 and 5 patients, respectively. Conclusions Liquid-based cytology specimen is reliable and can be an alternative source for the detection of EGFR and KRAS mutations. Methods 154 fine-needle aspiration cytologic samples were obtained from patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. The specimens included 21 cases of mediastinal lymph node 123 cases of neck nodules and 10 cases of subcutaneous nodules. After the diagnosis and count of tumor cells performed by cytopathologists, liquid-based cytology specimens with sufficient tumor cells were used for EGFR and KRAS testing using real-time PCR.