Dramatic response to anti-PD-1 therapy in a patient of squamous cell carcinoma of thymus with multiple lung metastases

Abstract

Immunotherapy directed at the programmed cell death-1 receptor (PD-1) or its ligand PDL1 has demonstrated efficacy in some malignancies, such as metastatic melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy or molecular targeted agent, it is an innovative way to treat malignancies with durable clinical responses and manageable adverse. We present a case of female patient with squamous cell carcinoma of thymus involving multiple lung metastases, who was successfully treated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, pembrolizumab.