Page 250 - EJMO-9-1

Eurasian Journal of Medicine and
Oncology
EGFR and PIK3CA mutations in lung cancer patients

by genetic and environmental factors specific to each We also thank the physicians at the General Laboratory
population. Despite their low frequency, detecting these of Pathological Anatomy for their contribution to the
genetic alterations is clinically significant and addresses an anatomopathological examinations.
unmet medical need, as they can guide patient selection for
targeted therapies. Funding
The present study provides valuable insights, clearly None.
demonstrating the importance of assessing the molecular Conflict of interest
profiles of EGFR and PIK3CA, and potentially HER2,
to better characterize LC tumors for targeted therapy. All authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Indeed, 46.7% of patients in our cohort have EGFR and/or
PIK3CA mutations, making them eligible for associated Author contributions
targeted therapies. This finding paves the way for Conceptualization: Fadila Guessous, Imane Chaoui
developing a therapeutic protocol tailored to Moroccan Formal analysis: Hind Dehbi, Souheil Boubia, Mohamed
NSCLC patients harboring such mutations. However, the Ridai, Mehdi Karkouri
study has several limitations, mainly related to the sample Investigation: Youness El Founini, Sara Hafidi, Imane
size and the molecular protocol used, which targeted only Chaoui
a limited number of specific genes. Well-designed future Methodology: Youness El Founini, Mohammed Attaleb,
studies are needed to investigate patient management Imane Chaoui
in real-world settings. Specifically, these studies should: Writing – original draft: Youness El Founini, Boutaina
(i) Expand cohort sizes, (ii) examine the relationship Addoum, Mohammed El Mzibri, Imane Chaoui
between EGFR, PIK3CA, and HER2 expression with Writing – review & editing: Boutaina Addoum, Mohammed
clinicopathological parameters, and (iii) incorporate El Mzibri, Imane Chaoui
advanced molecular tools such as next-generation
sequencing, which could enable the simultaneous Ethics approval and consent to participate
analysis of a broader panel of genes and detect both The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ibn
common and rare mutations, overcoming the limitations Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca on November 16,
of Sanger sequencing, and (iv) include additional clinical 2021. The ethics code is 01/20. Written informed consent
outcomes such as OS and PFS to better predict prognosis. was obtained from all participants to participate in this
We believe that these efforts will contribute to a deeper study.
understanding of the molecular epidemiology of LC
in Morocco and support the refinement of treatment Consent for publication
options for patients. Written informed consent for publication was obtained

5. Conclusion from all participants, and all identifying information has
been anonymized to ensure privacy.
Targeting oncogenic driver mutations in specific genes,
including EGFR, PIK3CA, and HER2, is a key factor in Availability of data
selecting patients who may benefit from personalized The data supporting our findings are available from the
medicine. In Morocco, driver mutations in EGFR and corresponding author upon reasonable request.
PIK3CA were detected in 41.6% and 8.3% of LC cases,
respectively, while no mutations were detected in HER2. References
Moreover, 46.7% of patients exhibited EGFR and/or 1. Zhou Q, Meng X, Sun L, et al. Efficacy and safety of
PIK3CA mutations and are therefore eligible for associated KRASG12C inhibitor IBI351 monotherapy in patients with
targeted therapies. These findings underscore the urgent advanced NSCLC: Results from a phase 2 pivotal study.
need to implement routine genetic profiling and provide J Thorac Oncol. 2024;19(12):1630-1639.
access to targeted therapies to improve the management of doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2024.08.005
LC in Morocco.
2. Erefai O, Soulaymani A, Mokhtari A, Hami H. Clinical and
Acknowledgments histopathological pattern of lung cancer in Morocco. Pan
Afr Med J. 2022;42:283.
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the staff
of the Department of Thoracic Surgery for their assistance doi: 10.11604/pamj.2022.42.283.35593
with patient recruitment and fresh tissue collection. 3. Colombino M, Paliogiannis P, Cossu A, et al. EGFR, KRAS,

Volume 9 Issue 1 (2025) 242 doi: 10.36922/ejmo.7111