PREVALENCE OF EGFR MUTATIONS IN STAGE III–IV NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER: A SINGLE-CENTER STUDY FROM VIETNAM

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Vietnam, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most prevalent histological type, accounting for up to 80%. Targeted therapies using TKIs have been confirmed to be effective in patients with EGFR mutations. However, the level of effectiveness, response, or resistance to different generations of TKIs depends on the specific type of EGFR mutation. Therefore, testing for EGFR mutations plays an important role in prognosis and treatment decisions. Objectives: 1. To determine the rate of EGFR gene mutations in stage III–IV NSCLC patients. 2.To evaluate the relationship between selected clinical characteristics and EGFR mutation status in the study population. Subjects and methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 56 stage III–IV NSCLC patients who underwent EGFR mutation testing and received treatment at Gia Lai General Hospital from January 2023 to November 2025. Results: The EGFR mutation rate in the study was 37.5%. Exon 19 (Del19) and exon 21 (L858R) were the most frequently detected mutations. Females had a higher likelihood of harboring EGFR mutations compared to males. Non-smokers exhibited a higher risk of EGFR mutations compared to smokers. Conclusion: The EGFR mutation rate in this study is similar to that reported by most domestic studies. The relationship between EGFR mutation status and clinical characteristics observed at Gia Lai General Hospital is consistent with findings from other studies in Vietnam and worldwide.