Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a pathological subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer. Although the incidence of PSC in lung cancer is very low, it is an aggressive cancer, leading to a poor prognosis. Currently, there is no standard treatment for advanced PSC. Targeted therapy can be used for patients with METex14 mutations and patients with other driver gene mutations may also benefit from treatment. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors also provides potential options for advanced PSC treatment, but more clinical data is needed. Additionally, more research may be warranted to explore the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy. In this review, the authors summarize the research regarding the treatment of advanced PSC.
Keywords: MET exon 14; immune checkpoint inhibitors; pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma; treatment; tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Lay abstract Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a special type of non-small-cell lung cancer. PSC is an uncommon form of cancer that is associated with poor outcomes. Currently, there is no standard treatment for advanced PSC. Targeted therapies for patients with specific mutations may be effective. Additionally, immunotherapy may provide new options for PSC treatment, however, more research is needed. Moreover, the effects of traditional chemotherapies and radiotherapy are not fully understood for PSC. In this review, the authors summarize what is known regarding the treatment of advanced PSC.