A Study on the Relationship between EGFR Gene Mutations and the Clinical Characteristics and Tumor Markers in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

[Aims] This study aims to explore the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and clinical characteristics, as well as serum tumor markers, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to assess the implications of these findings.

[Methods] The study included 105 NSCLC patients diagnosed at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2020 and November 2024. Based on EGFR gene testing results, the patients were divided into two groups: the mutation group(63 patients) and the wild-type group (42 patients). The clinical characteristics of both groups were compared, and the associations between serum blood tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], carbohydrate antigen 125 [CA125], carbohydrate antigen 199 [CA199], squamous cell carcinoma antigen [SCCA]) and EGFR mutations were analyzed.

[Results] In the mutation group , the proportion of females and non-smokers was significantly higher compared to the wild-type group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mutation group exhibited a higher positive rate of CEA (P < 0.05) and a lower positive rate of SCCA (P < 0.05) compared to the wild-type group. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant relationship between EGFR mutation status and patient gender, smoking history, CEA, and SCCA (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified smoking history, CEA, and SCCA as independent factors influencing EGFR mutations.

[Conclusion] EGFR mutations are significantly associated with patient gender, smoking history, CEA, and SCCA in NSCLC. Clinical characteristics and monitoring of serum CEA and SCCA levels may provide valuable insights for predicting EGFR mutation status.