Novel strategy for comprehensive therapy with sustainably complete response in a patient with limited-stage small cell lung cancer: a case report

J Int Med Res. 2024 Dec;52(12):3000605241305429. doi: 10.1177/03000605241305429.

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor with the poorest prognosis among all types of lung cancer. Developing an effective comprehensive strategy remains a key focus. We herein present the first documented case of a 68-year-old man with limited-stage SCLC who has maintained a complete response (CR) for over 30 months to date. CR was achieved with first-line chemotherapy using etoposide and carboplatin combined with chest volumetric-modulated arc therapy. Maintenance therapy with anlotinib extended the progression-free survival to 20 months after first-line therapy. When resistance developed, second-line therapy with albumin-bound paclitaxel, carboplatin, and the immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab sustained CR for 7 months. Third-line therapy with etoposide and cisplatin combined with durvalumab has maintained CR to date.

Keywords: Limited-stage small cell lung cancer; albumin-bound paclitaxel; anlotinib; complete response; comprehensive therapy; durvalumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carboplatin / therapeutic use
  • Etoposide* / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Quinolines / administration & dosage
  • Quinolines / therapeutic use
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* / drug therapy
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* / pathology

Substances

  • Etoposide
  • Carboplatin
  • Quinolines
  • Paclitaxel
  • Indoles
  • anlotinib
  • durvalumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal