1. To compare EGFR mutations between primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours and corresponding CTCs isolated by a label-free microfluidic device-based system 2. To characterize the association between clinical response in NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib and serial changes in CTC EGFR mutations detected by a label-free microfluidic device-based system The investigators recently developed a label-free, microfluidic device for capturing circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and acquired a Fluidigm Biomark digital PCR instrument for reliable low-level DNA quantification. The overall aim of this study is to test the feasibility of using these state-of-the-art devices to reliably detect clinically relevant EGFR mutations in CTCs.
Cohort
There are 2 SNPs
DNA will be extracted from the retrieved CTCs and tumour samples, and analyzed exon 19 deletion, L858R and T790M mutations by digital PCR on the Fluidigm Biomark according to methods described previously.23 --- L858R ---
DNA will be extracted from the retrieved CTCs and tumour samples, and analyzed exon 19 deletion, L858R and T790M mutations by digital PCR on the Fluidigm Biomark according to methods described previously.23 --- L858R --- --- T790M ---
In particular, the frequency of T790M mutations in a relevant patient population is lacking, highlighting the lack of adequate analytical systems for its assessment such as the one proposed in this study. --- T790M ---