In the late stages of non-small cell lung cancer, the detection of sensitizing mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is mandatory to select patients' treatment with first- or second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In patients showing progressive disease, the assessment of the EGFR exon 20 resistance point mutation p.T790M is required for third-generation TKI administration. However, molecular analysis does not capture all the different mechanisms of resistance against these molecules. A variety of morphological changes associated with acquired resistance have also been described. Since an altered morphology may be the only clue to acquired resistance, cytopathology still plays a relevant role in this setting. In this comprehensive review, we have focused on the relevance of squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma transitions from adenocarcinoma resistant to TKIs.
Role of Cytomorphology in the Era of Liquid Biopsy / Clery, E.; Pisapia, P.; Vigliar, E.; Malapelle, U.; Bellevicine, C.; Troncone, G.; Schmitt, F. C.. - In: ACTA CYTOLOGICA. - ISSN 0001-5547. - (2019), pp. 1-9-9. [10.1159/000499338]
Role of Cytomorphology in the Era of Liquid Biopsy
Pisapia P.;Vigliar E.;Malapelle U.;Bellevicine C.;Troncone G.;
2019
Abstract
In the late stages of non-small cell lung cancer, the detection of sensitizing mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is mandatory to select patients' treatment with first- or second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In patients showing progressive disease, the assessment of the EGFR exon 20 resistance point mutation p.T790M is required for third-generation TKI administration. However, molecular analysis does not capture all the different mechanisms of resistance against these molecules. A variety of morphological changes associated with acquired resistance have also been described. Since an altered morphology may be the only clue to acquired resistance, cytopathology still plays a relevant role in this setting. In this comprehensive review, we have focused on the relevance of squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma transitions from adenocarcinoma resistant to TKIs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.