Clinical Lung Cancer. 18(4):401–409, JUL 2017

DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2016.11.018

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PMID: 28038980

Issn Print: 1525-7304

Publication Date: 2017/07/01


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Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutational Testing and Erlotinib Treatment Among Veterans Diagnosed With Lung Cancer in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Julie Lynch;Brygida Berse;Danielle Chun;Donna Rivera;Kelly Filipski;Scott Kulich;Benjamin Viernes;Scott DuVall;Michael Kelley;

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Abstract

IntroductionWe examined mutational testing of the epidermal growth factor gene (EGFR) and erlotinib treatment among veterans diagnosed with non–small-cell lung cancer in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our objectives were to identify the prevalence of clinically actionable EGFR mutations, to determine whether testing and treatment were guideline concordant, to evaluate the impact of testing and treatment on survival, and to estimate the rate of testing.Patients and MethodsTest results were linked to electronic health records from VA Corporate Data Warehouse and the VA Central Cancer Registry. We analyzed patient demographic and clinical characteristics, prevalence of EGFR mutations, and timing of EGFR mutational testing and erlotinib treatment based on pharmacy records. Overall survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsAmong 973 patients tested at 70 VA medical centers between 2011 and 2013, 64 (7%) had sensitizing EGFR mutations, 694 (71%) were EGFR wild type, and 168 (17%) had clinically insignificant polymorphisms or variants of unknown significance. Results were not documented in 47 tests (5%). Erlotinib administration was in agreement with test results in 843 cases (87%).ConclusionVeterans have a much lower rate of sensitizing EGFR mutations than the reported average of 10% to 15%, which correlates with a high rate of smoking among veterans. This may partially explain clinicians’ reluctance to prescribe EGFR testing, which results in underutilization. Although test results appear to have influenced erlotinib treatment decisions, we documented a substantial number of cases where treatment was not applied in accordance with clinical guidelines, potentially resulting in worse outcomes and unnecessary cost.Micro-AbstractWe examined epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) testing and erlotinib treatment among veterans with non–small-cell lung cancer. Veterans had a low (7%) prevalence of EGFR mutations. There were several patients where EGFR testing and erlotinib treatment departed from clinical practice guidelines. Integration of decision support tools into the electronic health record could improve the quality of cancer care.

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