BMJ Publishing Group, Journal of Clinical Pathology, 9(70), p. 798-802
DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2017-204370
Full text: Unavailable
Non-small cell lung carcinoma harbouring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, usually progress after an initial response to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI). Liquid biopsy enables with a simple blood draw the accurate detection ofEGFRp.T790M mutation, the most common resistance mechanism, avoiding the more invasive tissue re-biopsy. However, in a subset of cases, resistance mechanisms are more complex featuring both genetic and morphological changes. Here we report the case of a 67 years-old woman, affected by anEGFRmutated lung adenocarcinoma and treated by TKI. At disease progression, the patient developed a morphological transition to squamous cell carcinoma in association to the arising of aPIK3CAp.E542K mutant subclone. This case illustrates that, even in the “liquid biopsy” era, cytology can have still a role by providing an overall assessment of both morphology and genetic TKI resistance mechanisms.