TY - JOUR T1 - Monitoring EGFR TKI resistance in real time using ddPCR-based liquid biopsy: a case report JF - Journal of Clinical Pathology JO - J Clin Pathol DO - 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205210 SP - jclinpath-2018-205210 AU - Laure Sorber AU - Karen Zwaenepoel AU - An Wouters AU - Annelies Janssens AU - Birgitta Hiddinga AU - Jan Van Meerbeeck AU - Filip Lardon AU - Patrick Pauwels AU - Christian Rolfo Y1 - 2018/05/31 UR - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/early/2018/05/31/jclinpath-2018-205210.abstract N2 - Liquid biopsies, consisting of the analysis of circulating cell-free (tumour) DNA (cfDNA/ctDNA), circulating tumour cells (CTCs) or tumour-derived exosomes, have shown great potential in providing personalised therapy. Presently, the analysis of ctDNA has enabled the detection and real-time follow-up of specific genetic alterations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), for which targeted therapies are available. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations are one of the most widely known examples of targets of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Several studies have described the detection of the EGFR T790M resistance mutation in blood samples 15–344 days prior to disease progression based on the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) criteria.1 Importantly, similar response rates to TKI therapy have been described whether the EGFR mutations were detected in blood or tissue samples.2 These findings highlight the potential of liquid biopsy as a less invasive alternative to provide personalised therapy. However, relatively few studies report the detection of other resistance mechanisms in follow-up blood samples. In this case report, we highlight a case in which digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)-based liquid biopsy aids in the detection of an atypical disease progression.We present the case of a 46-year-old woman diagnosed with stage IV (extracranial metastases) EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma in June 2013. Tissue samples were taken throughout the disease course as part of clinical care. The patient provided written informed consent that blood samples could be taken at several time points (figure 1). The human biological materials used in this publication were provided by Biobank@UZA (Antwerp, Belgium; ID: BE71030031000; Belgian Virtual Tumourbank funded by the National Cancer Plan; BBMRI-ERIC; no. access: … ER -