The mutation occurs in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, which regulates cell growth and division across pulmonary tissue. While somatic EGFR mutations acquired during a person’s lifetime are known drivers of non-small cell lung cancer, the T790M germline variant is inherited at birth and present in every cell. Data compiled by the National Cancer Institute shows the mutation occurs in approximately 1 out of every 15,850 people in the United States. Lead study author Dr. Jaclyn LoPiccolo noted that carrying the variant raises lung cancer odds roughly 62 times in never-smokers, compared to about 11 times in individuals with a history of smoking.
