Analysis of Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα) Expression and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation and Their Relationship with Hormonal and Menstrual Factors in Women with Lung Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. The proportion of non-smoking women with lung cancer is higher than non-smoking men. Studies have found gender  differences in estrogen receptor alpha expression and mutation in the human epidermal growth factor receptor in tumour tissue. The aim of the study is to analyze the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in women with lung adenocarcinoma.  The study is retrospective and includes 41 non-smoking women with lung adenocarcinoma. We studied the expression of ERα and EGFR mutations in tumour tissue and their relationship with the hormonal and menstrual factors. The positive expression of ERα in tumour tissue is 9.8%, and in these patients, the estradiol levels were many times higher. EGFR mutation expression is found in 26.8%. There is a correlation between the expression of the EGFR mutation and the time of menopause. The expression of ERα and EGFR in non-smoking women with lung adenocarcinoma is most likely related to the influence of sex hormones and menstrual factors.