EGFR and p53 Status of Pulmonary Pleomorphic Carcinoma: Implications for EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Therapy of an Aggressive Lung Malignancy

摘要

Background Pleomorphic carcinomas of the lung are uncommon malignant tumors composed of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components and are distinguished from other non-small-cell lung carcinomas by a more aggressive clinical course with early distant metastases and far worse survival. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p53 are common genes involved in the pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung carcinomas, but their roles in pleomorphic carcinomas are unclear. The potential clinical activity of EGFR-targeted therapy is also unknown.