Screening for the prevalence of EGFR and ALK mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients in the Levant area: A prospective analysis.

e12648 Background: Recent evidence suggests that a significant percentage of lung adenocarcinomas have a driver mutation that is responsible for the development of the tumor and promotion of its growth and spread. Significant variation in the prevalence of these mutations has been documented with race and smoking status being two major factors (more common in Asians and/or non-smokers). To date, no data has prospectively assessed the prevalence of these mutations in a Middle Eastern population and that will be the aim of our study. Methods: Patients with lung adenocarcinoma were prospectively enrolled as part of a multicenter, multinational study. Tumors were tested for various EGFR mutations in exons 18-21 by PCR and for EML4-ALK translocation by FISH Break-Apart test. Study was open in 10 sites in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq and was restricted to patients of Middle Eastern origin. Results: 190 patients have been recruited so far. 128 (67.4%) males and 62 females (32.6%) with a mean age of 62.8 years. EGFR ...