Assay/ Test

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)

Key Words

EGFR

Specimen Collection

Technique is possible with 2 sample types

1: Blood sample taken in 2 large red- lidded (EDTA) tube

(2 x7.5ml)

2: Formalin fixed Paraffin embedded tissue.

Turnaround time

10 days on receipt of request

Test indications

Used to detect EGFR gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer tumor cells; knowing whether a mutation is present in the cells can help determine if EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as gefitinib and erlotinib may be beneficial for treating the tumor

Interferences

Although a mutation may be present in the tumor cells, if there is very little tumor tissue and/or when there are insufficient tumor cells present that contain the mutation, the test may result in "no mutation detected" despite the mutation being present in a minority of tumor cells.

Because the amount of tumor DNA in a blood sample is uncertain, testing a blood sample is generally not preferred. However, in situations where insufficient tumor cells are available for molecular testing from a tissue biopsy, or in situations where a tissue biopsy is not able to be taken, a blood test (liquid biopsy) may be an acceptable alternative testing method

Reference Range

N/A

Analytical error

N/A

Reference change value

N/A