Structural, biochemical, and clinical characterization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations in lung cancer Journal Article


Authors: Yasuda, H.; Park, E.; Yun, C. H.; Sng, N. J.; Lucena-Araujo, A. R.; Yeo, W. L.; Huberman, M. S.; Cohen, D. W.; Nakayama, S.; Ishioka, K.; Yamaguchi, N.; Hanna, M.; Oxnard, G. R.; Lathan, C. S.; Moran, T.; Sequist, L. V.; Chaft, J. E.; Riely, G. J.; Arcila, M. E.; Soo, R. A.; Meyerson, M.; Eck, M. J.; Kobayashi, S. S.; Costa, D. B.
Article Title: Structural, biochemical, and clinical characterization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations in lung cancer
Abstract: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations (G719X, exon 19 deletions/insertions, L858R, and L861Q) predict favorable responses to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations (∼10% of all EGFR mutations) are generally associated with insensitivity to available TKIs (gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib). The basis of this primary resistance is poorly understood. We studied a broad subset of exon 20 insertion mutations, comparing in vitro TKI sensitivity with responses to gefitinib and erlotinib in NSCLC patients, and found that most are resistant to EGFR TKIs. The crystal structure of a representative TKI-insensitive mutant (D770-N771insNPG) reveals an unaltered adenosine triphosphate-binding pocket, and the inserted residues form a wedge at the end of the C helix that promotes the active kinase conformation. Unlike EGFR-L858R, D770-N771insNPG activates EGFR without increasing its affinity for EGFR TKIs. Unexpectedly, we find that EGFR-A763-Y764insFQEA is highly sensitive to EGFR TKIs in vitro, and patients whose NSCLCs harbor this mutation respond to erlotinib. Analysis of the A763-Y764insFQEA mutant indicates that the inserted residues shift the register of the C helix in the N-terminal direction, altering the structure in the region that is also affected by the TKI-sensitive EGFR-L858R. Our studies reveal intricate differences between EGFR mutations, their biology, and their response to EGFR TKIs.
Journal Title: Science Translational Medicine
Volume: 5
Issue: 216
ISSN: 1946-6234
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science  
Date Published: 2013-12-18
Start Page: 216ra177
Language: English
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3007205
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3954775
PUBMED: 24353160
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 3 March 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Jamie Erin Chaft
    289 Chaft
  2. Gregory J Riely
    599 Riely
  3. Maria Eugenia Arcila
    657 Arcila