First case report of erlotinib plus ramucirumab treatment for lung carcinosarcoma with EGFR L858R mutation

Thorac Cancer. 2023 Dec;14(34):3415-3418. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.15134. Epub 2023 Oct 14.

Abstract

Lung carcinosarcoma is acknowledged as a rare form of lung cancer. Due to its rarity, the inability to conduct large-scale clinical trials and interventions is currently carried out based on empirical evidence. In this study, we report the case of a 73-year-old female patient diagnosed with postoperative recurrence of lung carcinosarcoma. The resected tumor was diagnosed as lung carcinosarcoma, and genetic testing revealed the presence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon21 L858R. Approximately 2 years postoperatively, the tumor recurred and the patient was treated with erlotinib plus ramucirumab, which were effective in controlling metastatic disease. Erlotinib plus ramucirumab is therefore a treatment option for EGFR mutation-positive lung carcinosarcoma.

Keywords: EGFR L858R; erlotinib; lung carcinosarcoma; non-small cell lung cancer; ramucirumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride / pharmacology
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Mutation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Ramucirumab

Substances

  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors