Checkpoint inhibitor is active against large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with high tumor mutation burden. Issue 1 (19th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Victoria E.; Urisman, Anatoly; Albacker, Lee; Ali, Siraj; Miller, Vincent; Aggarwal, Rahul; Jablons, David
• Is Part Of: Journal for immunotherapy of cancer. Volume 5:Issue 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-09-19
• Subjects: Large cell neuroendocrine tumor -- Pembrolizumab -- PD-L1 -- Tumor mutation burden -- Immunotherapy; Cancer -- Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.99406105
• DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0281-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-1426

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Large cell neuroendocrine tumor (LCNEC) of the lung is a rare and aggressive tumor similar to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Thus, it is often treated similarly to SCLC in the front-line setting with a platinum doublet. However, treatment for patients beyond the first line remains undefined. Case presentation: We report the case of a patient with stage IB LCNEC (PD-L1 negative but positive for PD-L1 amplification and tumor mutation burden high) who progressed after adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery and subsequent therapy with an antibody drug conjugate targeting a neuroendocrine-specific cell surface marker but achieved a significant and durable response with pembrolizumab, a humanized IgG4 monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibody. Conclusions: Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors is an effective treatment option for patients with metastatic LCNEC, even if PD-L1 expression is negative.