Somatic Mutations ofEGFRin Colorectal Cancers and Glioblastomas

To the Editor: Recent reports suggest that mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene predict sensitivity to EGFR kinase inhibitors. In particular, patients with lung cancers containing mutations in the EGFR kinase domain have had responses to gefitinib.1,2 Are similar EGFR mutations present in a significant fraction of other tumor types for which gefitinib might be suitable therapy? To answer this question, we screened DNA from 293 colorectal tumors and 59 glioblastomas for alterations in the EGFR kinase domain (exons 17 to 24). These tumors were chosen for analysis because they have been linked to . . .