Association of EGFR mutations with low BRCA1 gene expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

Clinical studies suggest that the mRNA expression level of excision repair cross complementing group 1 gene (ERCC1) is associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and breast cancer susceptibility 1 gene (BRCA1) mRNA expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, the correlation between EGFR mutation status and ERCC1 and BRCA1 gene expression in Chinese NSCLC patients was examined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were used to detect mRNA expression levels and EGFR mutation status, respectively in microdissected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded non-small cell lung cancer tissues.