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In patients with lung adenocarcinoma, mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) have been associated with improved response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and prolonged survival.Two hotspot mutations located in exon 19 and exon 21 account for about 90% of EGFR mutations.We designed two rapid and sensitive mutation screening assays based on Bi-PASA (Bidirectional PCR Amplification of Specific Alleles) for detecting the most common exon 19 deletion (codons 746-750) and on allele-specific PCR for the L858R mutation in exon 21.To validate the assays for use in clinical diagnostics, 35 lung adenocarcinoma samples were analyzed.Both assays provided the predicted amplification pattern for normal and mutant genotypes in known genomic samples (normal wild type control DNA, heterozygous mutant control DNA from cell lines and a homozygous mutant PCR fragment) with high specificity and sensitivity.In serial dilution experiments, the mutant alleles were detectable in mixed samples with an at least 6-fold excess of normal DNA.Three exon 19 deletions were identified in the tumor samples.Both assays are fast and easy to perform in any routine PCR laboratory with no special equipment other than thermocyclers.They provide sensitive and cost-effective initial EGFR testing for identifying lung cancer patients who might clinically benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors.