Complete and prolonged response to anti-PD1 therapy in an ALK rearranged lung adenocarcinoma

Lung Cancer. 2020 Aug:146:366-369. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.05.008. Epub 2020 May 27.

Abstract

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become a major treatment in advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, some patients do not benefit from ICI, especially those harboring an ALK rearrangement. Here, we report a case of prolonged complete tumor response to immunotherapy in an ALK-rearranged NSCLC patient.

Materials and methods: We verify ALK expression and rearrangement on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples of the patient by Immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization analysis. The patient provided written informed consent authorizing publication of clinical case.

Results: We report the case of 48 years old man with a ALK-rearranged NSCLC. This patient displayed a complete response for 16 months under nivolumab therapy in third line setting after ceritinib and platin based chemotherapy.

Conclusion: This is the first case of complete and prolonged response to ICI in ALK rearranged NSCLC. This case supports the idea that some ALK rearranged NSCLC could durably benefit from immunotherapy.

Keywords: ALK rearrangement; Immunotherapy; Non small cell lung cancer; Tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / genetics
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / genetics
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases