Aim/scope | Development

Aim/scope

The SM-EGFR-DB has been inaugurated and developed by researchers at the Department of Molecular Pathology and Translational Oncology at Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece, 2008.

 All peer-reviewed publications posted on MEDLINE reporting on somatic mutations in EGFR post 01/01/04 are included. This information is used to:

• analytically compile mutational frequency (incidence) data and response per mutation for all anti-EGFR targeted agents (currently limited to single agent TKIs,
• provide cumulative data on mutational frequency according to classical cinicopathological and other demographic data,
• report on all technological aspects of somatic mutation detection and,
• propose additional information fields that will assist in improving treatment related outcomes in NSCLC.

The Somatic Mutations in EGFR Database (SM-EGFR-DB) represents a comprehensive analytical review of all peer-reviewed published (available through MEDLINE) data concerning literature reporting on somatic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Although it is primarily devoted to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), it will also support SM-EGFR status in all other cancer types in a similar format to that housed for the NSCLC component.

 In forming the database the developers decided to offer as wide a range of information as practically possible. Therefore, there will be additional updates of information based on changing trends with respect to our knowledge concerning TKIs and their function and use in NSCLC and in other cancer types. Currently the database supports information concerning the incidence (frequency) of mutations according to the major clinicopathological factors of gender (sex), smoking history (smoking status), histology (adenocarcinoma versus others) and ethnicity (Asians versus Caucasians). These have been extracted in as complete a manner as practical depending on the extent of information reliably available per publication.

 The database also houses a second sub-database of the entire somatic mutational spectrum of EGFR (per exon; 18-21, and others). This section was considered invaluable considering the rapid reporting of a number of essentially rare somatic mutations. Furthermore, all data regarding response to tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibition utilizing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI’s; gefitinib: IRESSA™ and erlotinib: TARCEVA™) with respect to mutational status are also posted, with clinicopathological stratification wherever possible. In this respect the database offers the most comprehensive account of the most frequent mutations (L858 and Δ19) whilst retaining as much independent data as possible concerning the large number of rare mutations, where it is believed that treatment related decisions would be more difficult.

  Therein, each mono-therapy TKI treated NSCLC patient (or population) for which the somatic mutational status of EGFR and clinical response outcomes are known have also been tabulated. Additional collective summaries are also included highlighting the importance of specific mutational types and response to TKI mono-therapy.

  The databases and associated analytical tables are to be updated q6m, authors are encouraged to confirm their data sets and provide any additional information concerning their listings.

Outlook:

  - The inclusion of independent patient data (IPD)
  - Treatment related response and outcomes
  - Database of relevant literature
  - Links to appropriate sites

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Development

• The database was launched ‘on-line’ in association with the opening of the 1st IASLC-ESMO Lung Cancer Conference, Geneva, Switzerland.
• At inauguration the database reported on publications (peer-reviewed) listed in MEDLINE (PubMed) during the period 01/01/04 to 30/06/07.
• This database SM-EGFR-DBv1 contains information on 3305 somatic mutations, 25 silent mutations; an 2 somatic mutations that occur outside of exons 18-21.
• DBv1 contains a) no IPD; b) no data related to other cancers (we report solely on NSCLC)
• Downloadable formats of all database formats are available
  • SM-EGFR-DB (NSCLC)
  • Exon specific mutational spectrum, cumulative frequency data
  • Exon specific mutational spectrum correlated with TKI treatment related responses (monotherapy), cumulative frequency data
  • Supplementary analytical tables and figures, naïve and TKI treatment specific.

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