Thyroid transcription factor-1 expression is significantly associated with mutations in exon 21 of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Our study showed a significant association between TTF-1 positivity and the presence of EGFR mutations (exon 21) in the Chinese lung adenocarcinoma patients. We further identify that patients with disease stages III-IV who were positive for TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations had a better postoperative survival than those patients who were negative for TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations. Therefore, TTF-1 might be a potential prognostic biomarker for stages III-IV lung adenocarcinoma patients. In clinical practice, TTF-1 expression may be a marker for planning therapy for certain patients with lung adenocarcinoma, especially for selection of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.