Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung that responded to nivolumab: A case report

Sato,Michiko Takimoto; Ikezawa,Yasuyuki; Sato,Mineyoshi; Suzuki,Akira; Kawai,Yasutaka

doi:10.3892/mco.2020.2045

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung that responded to nivolumab: A case report

Authors:
- Michiko Takimoto Sato
- Yasuyuki Ikezawa
- Mineyoshi Sato
- Akira Suzuki
- Yasutaka Kawai
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Affiliations: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Oji General Hospital, Tomakomai, Hokkaido 0538506, Japan, Department of Pathology, Oji General Hospital, Tomakomai, Hokkaido 0538506, Japan
Published online on: May 13, 2020 https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2020.2045
Pages: 43-47
Copyright: © Sato et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare type of lung cancer, accounting for 3% of all lung cancers. The prognosis is poor and the standard therapy has not been well established. Herein, we report a case of advanced LCNEC of the lung that responded to nivolumab. The patient was a 62‑year old man with stage IVB LCNEC of the lung. The disease progressed following the administration of second‑line chemotherapy, and he was treated with nivolumab 3 mg/kg as the third‑line treatment. Although treatment was ceased after two cycles due to interstitial pneumonia, the disease remained stable for approximately six months under observation. There was no other adverse event related to nivolumab. Following patient mortality from tumor progression, PD‑L1 expression was observed to be negative (tumor proportion score <1%) by a re‑examination of the primary biopsy specimen. The case herein suggests that nivolumab may be a possible treatment option for LCNEC.

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