Abstract B12: Predictibility of response to anti-EGFR treatment with respect to assessment of receptor status in different geographical population with lung cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer affecting populations in different geographical areas varies with respect to incidence, smoking history, histology and response to treatment with monoclonal antibodies inhibiting EGFR.

Assessment of EGFR status in lung cancer varies with respect to methodology, type of antibody etc, resulting in wide variation in reported incidence of positivity. In addition EGFR receptor is a polyclonal antigen (eg: EGFR1, EGFR2) and standardization of antigen methodology of assessment and interpretation of the test results is not yet uniformly accepted worldwide. Response to treatment with monoclonal antibodies to EGFR in lung cancer patients vis a vis receptor status is varied in different geographical areas. Study in Erlotinib has shown response in selected sample of patients in western population whereas there are no well established clinical trials in Asian population establishing relevance of receptor status with respect to clinical response to EFGR antibodies.

It is well known fact from different clinical trials that Asian especially Southeast Asian populations with lung cancer respond differently in comparison to European population (cacuasions). But receptor status and response to treatment not known.

Hence it is opinioned that Asian and especially Southeast Asians population's treatment with monoclonal antibodies should be given a clinical trial irrespective of receptor status or unknown receptor status. However clinical trials with respect to response v/s receptor status should be conducted. Till then these populations should not be denied treatment with monoclonal antibodies in lung cancer (NSCLC).