Pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma with KRAS G12V mutation and sustained response to Afatinib

Pneumonia (Nathan). 2024 Apr 25;16(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s41479-024-00128-w.

Abstract

Background: Pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma (P-ADC) is a rare and challenging subtype of primary lung cancer that can be difficult to distinguish from pneumonia based on radiological images. Furthermore, no drugs are currently available that specifically target KRAS G12V.

Case presentation: Here we report a case of P-ADC with typical and informative imaging features throughout the course of the disease, including patchy shadows, high-density lesions with aerated bronchus, diffuse ground-glass opacities, and nodular shadows from computed tomography (CT) scan. The KRAS G12V mutation was detected using Next-generation sequencing (NGS). An individualized Afatinib-based therapeutic schedule was prescribed and achieved sustained response after multiple lines of treatment had failed.

Conclusion: Our case highlights the typical and dynamic changes in imaging features of P-ADC and provides an indicative treatment strategy for KRAS G12V-mutated lung adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: Afatinib; KRAS mutation; Next-generation sequencing (NGS); Non-small cell lung cancer; Pneumonia; Pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma.