Combined small and squamous transformation in egfr-mutated lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Histologic transformation has been described as an acquired mechanism of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We herein report the case of a woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR exon 19 deletions who was initially treated with EGFR-TKIs; several cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimens were used when resistance developed. A lymph node re-biopsy revealed histologic transformation of the tumor to combined small-cell lung cancer and squamous cell carcinoma with retained EGFR exon 19 deletions. Following sequential chemotherapy appropriate for transformed histology, a clinical response was achieved.