Recurrent spindle cell carcinoma of the lung successfully treated by chemoimmunotherapy

Abstract

There is limited evidence for the treatment of sarcomatoid lung carcinoma, especially spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) because of the rarity of disease. Although the efficacy of combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy (i.e. chemoimmunotherapy) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is well recognized, the effect for SpCC is not fully elucidated. A 72-year-old woman underwent surgical resection for the treatment of stage IIIA SpCC. Recurrence occurred three months after surgery, and then she received combination of carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and atezolizumab. A clinically favourable response was achieved by four cycles of chemoimmunotherapy and sequential maintenance therapy with bevacizumab and atezolizumab. The prognosis of advanced SpCC is generally poor, but chemoimmunotherapy can be a good therapeutic option for the first-line treatment of SpCC.