Case Series of Pleomorphic Carcinoma of the Lung Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Abstract

Aim: We report, herein, three cases of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Case 1: A 73-year-old man was diagnosed as having pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung and treated with pembrolizumab alone. However, he showed no response and died 4 months after the initiation of the treatment. Case 2: A 66-year-old man was diagnosed as having pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. He was started on a combination regimen of pembrolizumab plus carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel, and a remarkable response was observed. Case 3: A 49-year-old man was diagnosed as having pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. He was started on pembrolizumab monotherapy as second-line treatment. Eleven months after the treatment initiation, computed tomography revealed the decrease of tumor diameter.

Conclusion: Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is expected to improve the prognosis of patients with pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitor; pembrolizumab; pleomorphic carcinoma; sarcomatoid carcinoma.