Molecular Alterations in Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma of African Americans

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Identify molecular alterations in pulmonary adenocarcinoma (ADC) in African American (AA) patients diagnosed on cytology specimens. Methods After institutional review board approval, we searched our database from 2013 to 2017 for AA patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary ADC. Molecular and clinical data were reviewed. White patients also diagnosed with pulmonary ADC on cytology samples formed a control group. Results A total of 113 patients were identified. Mean age was 63.4 years. Molecular tests were available for 91 patients. Mutations were identified in 53 (58.2%) cases. The most common mutations were EGFR (n = 19 cases, 36%) and KRAS (n = 24 cases, 45%). When compared with whites, AA patients were diagnosed at higher stages (P = .045) and demonstrated shorter overall survival (17 vs 47 months, P = .0150). No differences were noted regarding distribution of molecular alterations. Conclusion AA patients have similar molecular alterations in ADCs as their white counterparts. However, they have worse outcomes.