Unusual chemosensitivity of advanced bronchioalveolar carcinoma after gefitinib response and progression: a case report

Abstract

Bronchioalveolar carcinoma of the lung represents increasingly recognized clinical entity with relatively high probability of response to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Patients who respond to these agents eventually develop resistance. In this case report, we describe a patient who relapsed after gefitinib treatment and achieved unusual response to vinflunine single-agent chemotherapy, despite earlier progression to a combination of another vinca alkaloid and cisplatin. Molecular characterization of the primary tumor before any treatment is provided, and mechanisms of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are briefly discussed.