Lung cancer : journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
-
Immunotherapy such as nivolumab is a new promising therapeutic option for advanced stage non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Due to the interference with the immune system previously unknown side effects are observed both in clinical studies and experience. ⋯ Up to now there is only limited information regarding potential cardiac side effects. We present a case of symptomatic drug induced myocarditis after nine cycles of nivolumab in a patient with efficient anticancer response.
-
Leptomeningeal metastasis is a severe complication of non-small cell lung cancer. Its prognosis is very poor and conventional treatments have limited efficacy. However, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors have exhibited high response rates in EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer patients with central nervous system metastases. ⋯ Moreover, the safety of this doublet regimen in patients with a poor general condition is not known. Herein, we report on a case treated with erlotinib plus bevacizumab for leptomeningeal metastases from EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. The patient's performance status significantly improved and the cerebrospinal fluid penetration rate of erlotinib plus bevacizumab was equal to or greater than the past reports of erlotinib alone.
-
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is known to be over-expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the impact of chemotherapy on the altered status of PD-L1 expression has not been examined for NSCLC. The present study was intended to examine the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on PD-L1 expression and its prognostic significance in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). ⋯ Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may up-regulate the expression of PD-L1. As compared with the status of PD-L1 expression prior to chemotherapy, the postoperative expression of PD-L1 is a better prognostic factor for overall survival in SCC.