Predictive and Prognostic Value of CYFRA 21-1 for Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with EGFR-TKIs.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) directed against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are important in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially those harboring EGFR mutations. But little is known regarding the clinical value of serum tumor marker levels measured prior to treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs, and inspected the relationship between serum tumor marker levels and clinical outcome.

RESULTS: Forty-three patients with an elevated serum level of cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) had shorter progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival than 52 patients with normal serum CYFRA 21-1 levels (99 vs. 123.5 days p=0.011; and 385 vs. 607 days, respectively, p=0.001). Regardless of EGFR mutation status, patients had shorter progression-free survival when serum CYFRA 21-1 was elevated.

CONCLUSION: Serum CYFRA 21-1 level may be a predictive factor for patients with NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs, regardless of EGFR mutation status.