Thai Prevalence of EGFR mutations and their association with demographic factors in non-small cell lung cancer patients: a provincial hospital case study in Northeastern Thailand

Authors

  • Tongsuk Pobboon Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital
  • Latiporn Udomsuk Research Group for Biomedical Research and Innovative Development (RG-BRID), College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University
  • Nongnuch Kanharat College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University
  • Suthankamol Khongyung College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University
  • Tanissara Chomkerd College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University
  • Thiti Sungworawongpana Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University
  • Piyanan Meevatee College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University
  • Phairo Saenwang Research Group for Biomedical Research and Innovative Development (RG-BRID), College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University
  • Ratana Leksomboon Research Group for Biomedical Research and Innovative Development (RG-BRID), College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University

Keywords:

Non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR, Mutation, Survival, Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations are critical biomarkers in managing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly among Asian populations. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of EGFR mutations and their association with demographic characteristics in NSCLC patients in northeastern Thailand. A retrospective analytical study was conducted on 220 NSCLC patients who underwent EGFR mutation testing at Sappasitthiprasong Hospital between 2021 and 2022. Mutations in EGFR exons 18–21 were detected using Super ARMS PCR. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the overall prevalence of EGFR mutations was 35.9%, with the most common subtypes being exon 19 deletions (18.6%) and L858R in exon 21 (13.2%). Female patients had a significantly higher mutation rate than males (p = 0.035). One-year survival was significantly higher in EGFR-positive patients (63.8%) compared with EGFR-negative patients (40.5%). These findings highlight a prevalence of EGFR mutations consistent with other Southeast Asian countries and emphasize the value of molecular diagnostics in provincial settings to improve equitable access to targeted therapy.

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Published

2025-11-10

How to Cite

Pobboon, T., Udomsuk, L. ., Kanharat, N. ., Khongyung, S., Chomkerd, T. ., Sungworawongpana, T. ., Meevatee, P., Saenwang, P., & Leksomboon, R. (2025). Thai Prevalence of EGFR mutations and their association with demographic factors in non-small cell lung cancer patients: a provincial hospital case study in Northeastern Thailand. Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, 8(3), 188–196. retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jmpubu/article/view/280461

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Research Articles