Conversion in a Resectable Tumor after Denosumab Neoadjuvant in a Large Dorsal Giant Cells Tumor: A Case Report and a Literature Review

Curr Oncol. 2023 Oct 21;30(10):9335-9345. doi: 10.3390/curroncol30100675.

Abstract

Giant cell tumors of bone are a rare entity, usually occurring in young patients and characteristically arising in the long bones. The spinal location is rare and usually presents with pain and/or neurological symptoms. The treatment of choice is surgery. Treatment with Denosumab, a bisphosphonate inhibitor of RANK-L, which is highly expressed in these tumors, has shown extensive activity in unresectable patients or those undergoing incomplete surgery. Preoperative treatment with this drug is gaining increasing interest, as its high potency in tumor reduction in this subtype of neoplasm has allowed resectability in selected patients. We present the case of a young patient with a large spinal tumor who, after neoadjuvant Denosumab, underwent complete en bloc surgery with clean margins and a great pathological response.

Keywords: bone giant cell tumor; denosumab; neoadjuvant.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Denosumab / therapeutic use
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone* / drug therapy
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone* / surgery
  • Giant Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Spinal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Spinal Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Denosumab
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.