ONCOmmunity

Significance of Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroup on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation in Japanese Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma.

By: Tsunayuki Otsuka, Kazuhiro Ueda, Tatsuhiko Furukawa, Chihaya Koriyama, Ituro Inoue, Masami Sato

Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
2021-06-01; doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15197

Abstract

Background/aim

The frequency of somatic mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in primary lung adenocarcinoma varies among populations and countries. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether the frequency of EGFR mutations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma depends on their mitochondrial DNA haplogroup, which reflects their maternal lineage.

Patients

Using normal lung tissue specimens, the mitochondrial DNA haplogroup was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction in 135 Japanese patients who underwent surgery for primary lung adenocarcinoma.

Results

The 135 patients were divided into two groups according to the two primitive haplotypes (N group, n=32; M group, n=103). The frequency of EGFR mutations in the N group was significantly higher than that in the M group (69% vs. 48%, p=0.044). The difference was prominent when the analysis was restricted to non-smokers (95% vs. 57%, p<0.01).

Conclusion

The frequency of EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients depends on their mitochondrial lineage.