Neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy and adjuvant targeted therapy in ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer

Immunotherapy. 2023 Aug;15(11):809-817. doi: 10.2217/imt-2022-0302. Epub 2023 May 31.

Abstract

Neoadjuvant therapy and adjuvant therapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK fusion mutation have not been thoroughly studied. Here, a stage IIIB NSCLC patient with EML4-ALK fusion mutation receiving immunotherapy plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment followed by lobectomy plus lymph node dissection is reported. The patient achieved a pathological complete response according to pathological evaluation. The patient received adjuvant crizotinib for 3 months and achieved a disease-free survival time of 36 months.

Keywords: ALK; NSCLC; adjuvant target therapy; checkpoint inhibitors; clinical immunology; crizotinib; neoadjuvant therapy; pembrolizumab.

Plain language summary

A 50-year-old man was diagnosed with lung cancer. Surgery was not initially an option due to the seriousness of the disease. He received two cycles of treatment and the tumor became obviously smaller. Then, he received an operation. No tumor cells were discovered after detection. The patient had one gene that was not normal. Consequently, he was administered medicine for 3 months. The patient has had good health for at least 36 months.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors