Work

Correlation between TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations in moroccan lung adenocarcinoma: A prospective six-year study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • This is the first study in the MENA region investigating TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. • A strong correlation was found between TTF-1 expression and common EGFR mutations, particularly exon 19 deletions. • TTF-1 positivity and EGFR mutations were notably prevalent in never-smokers and females. • The findings provide region-specific insights, potentially influencing treatment decisions for NSCLC patients in the MENA region. • The study emphasizes the importance of integrating molecular markers into routine clinical practice to optimize patient outcomes. Objective: Lung cancer is the second most common malignancy worldwide and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Identifying predictive biomarkers is essential to improve personalized treatment. This prospective six-year study investigated the correlation between thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) expression and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in Moroccan patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Between 2017 and 2022, 234 patients with histologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma were prospectively enrolled. TTF-1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and EGFR mutations were evaluated using molecular testing. Statistical analyses examined associations with clinicopathological parameters and overall survival. Results: TTF-1 expression was detected in 83.8% of cases and was more frequent among females (85.5%) and never-smokers (88.2%). EGFR mutations were identified in 21.36% of patients, with exon 19 deletions (15.38%) and exon 21 mutations (4.27%) being the most common. A strong association was observed between TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations (p<0.001), particularly exon 19 deletions (p=0.009). No significant correlation was found with exon 21 mutations or rare/dual variants. Combined exon 19 and 21 mutations were also significantly associated with TTF-1 positivity (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a strong correlation between TTF-1 expression and common EGFR mutations, especially exon 19 deletions, in Moroccan patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The association was most evident in never-smokers, supporting the role of TTF-1 and EGFR as complementary biomarkers in guiding diagnosis and treatment. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to further explore their prognostic value.

Source: Cancer Treatment and Research Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2025.101012