Association Between EGFR Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Dietary Legume Intake.

[INTRODUCTION] This study aimed to investigate the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and its association with the frequency of legume food intake.

[METHODS] Clinical data from 93 NSCLC patients at Jiujiang University-affiliated Hospital (2018-2023) were collected. Postoperative recurrence status and legume intake were obtained via telephone follow-up. Fourteen patients with recurrence or metastasis were assigned to the first progression (FP) group. Propensity score matching (1:3) was used to select 42 non-progression (NP) matched patients, totaling 56 for analysis. Patients were divided into low- and high-legume intake groups. EGFR expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and statistical analysis.

[RESULTS] EGFR positivity was higher in the FP group (78.6%, 11/14) than in the NP group (47.6%, 20/42) (P < 0.05). The NP group had a greater proportion of patients with high-frequency legume consumption compared to the FP group (71.4% vs. 35.7%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients with high-frequency legume intake (42.9%, 15/35) showed significantly lower EGFR positivity than those in the low-frequency intake group (76.2%, 16/21) (P < 0.05). These results indicate that higher legume intake correlates with both reduced EGFR expression and a decreased postoperative recurrence risk.

[DISCUSSION] These findings suggest that higher legume intake is associated with reduced EGFR expression and better postoperative outcomes in NSCLC patients. Legume consumption may modulate disease progression through EGFR regulation.

[CONCLUSION] High legume intake correlates with improved prognosis and lower EGFR expression in NSCLC. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate these associations and explore their clinical implications.