Complete Response to Chemotherapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Carcinoma Associated with Double Heterozygous Germline Mutation in BRCA2 and CHEK2 Genes - a Case Report

Klin Onkol. 2020 Spring;33(3):220-225. doi: 10.14735/amko2020220.

Abstract

Background: Metastatic pancreatic carcinoma is an aggressive disease with adverse prognosis. Despite slight advances in chemotherapy, complete remission of the disease is extremely rare.

Case: In this article we present a case of a patient with initially metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, associated with double heterozygous germline mutation in BRCA2 and CHEK2 genes, with the description of clinical, radiological and histomorphological characteristics of the disease as well as the dia-gnostic and therapeutic procedure.

Results: The patient with initially metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with multiple liver involvement achieved complete remission following first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. The treatment lasted for 12 months but due to increased neurotoxicity since the 9th cycle, oxaliplatin was excluded from the regimen. Given the family history of several malignancies (prostate cancer, seminoma), genetic testing was performed, which confirmed heterozygous germline mutations in BRCA2 and CHEK2 genes. Since the treatment has been completed, the patient remains in complete remission at 30 months.

Conclusion: Given the low incidence of complete remissions in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, the further therapeutic approach is not clearly established, an individual treatment is important. Universal genetic testing is recommended in patients with pancreatic cancer as it may affect the treatment strategy.

Keywords: BRCA2; CHEK2; DNA repair; chemotherapy; germline mutation; pancreatic cancer; remission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics*
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Genes, BRCA2
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan / therapeutic use
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxaliplatin / therapeutic use
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pedigree

Substances

  • BRCA2 Protein
  • folfirinox
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Irinotecan
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • CHEK2 protein, human
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil