A comparison of methods for EGFR mutation testing in non-small cell lung cancer.

EGFR mutation testing of tumor samples is routinely performed to predict sensitivity to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. At least 9 different methodologies are employed in UK laboratories, and the aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of different methods for the detection of EGFR mutations. Participating laboratories were sent coded samples with varying mutation loads (from 0% to 15%) to be tested for the p.Leu858Arg (p.L858R) missense mutation and c.2235_2249del exon 19 deletion. The p.L858R mutation and deletions within exon 19 of the EGFR gene account for ∼90% of mutation-positive cases. The 11 laboratories used their standard testing method(s) and submitted 15 sets of results for the p.L858R samples and 10 for the exon 19 deletion. The p.Leu858Arg (p.L858R) mutation was detected at levels between 1% and 7.5% by Sanger sequencing, pyrosequencing, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplification refractory mutation system, and capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation analysis. The c.2235_2249del mutation was detected at 1% to 5% by fragment size analysis, Sanger sequencing or real-time PCR. A mutation was detected in 24/25 (96%) of the samples tested which contained 5% mutated DNA. The 1% sensitivity claimed for commercial real-time PCR-targeted EGFR tests was achieved and our results show greater sensitivity for the Sanger sequencing and pyrosequencing screening methods compared to the 10% to 20% detection levels cited on clinical diagnostic reports. We conclude that multiple methodologies are suitable for the detection of acquired EGFR mutations.

Contribuiçäo ao plano de vacinaçäo anti-sarampo / Vaccination plan against measles

Este trabalho mostra os resultados positivos da intensificaçäo da campanha de vacinaçäo contra o sarampo, denominada "Plano Impacto", realizada nos dias 30 e 31 de julho de 1984 com o apoio da Secretaria da Saúde do Estado de Säo Paulo. Pelo "Plano Impacto", vacinou-se aproximadamente 3,6 vezes mais que nos dias normais da campanha de vacinaçäo. A cobertura vacinal após a campanha foi de 89,7%, oferecendo uma segurança à imunidade populacional local. Avaliou-se o lucro imediato de cada criança vacinada, representado pela näo hospitalizaçäo por sarampo ou suas complicaçöes (Cr$ 102,94 - Cr$ 3.356,71), confrontando-o com o custo de uma dose da vacina (Cr$608,00). Discutiu-se também a idade ideal para vacinaçäo contra o sarampo, que depende da epidemiologia local da doença. Questionou-se o risco dado pela mudança desta idade (de 7 a 9 meses) adotada desde o mês de abril de 1984, no Brasil