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

A case of acute myocarditis induced by PD-1 inhibitor (sintilimab) in the treatment of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

The combination of Sintilimab with pemetrexed/platinum has become the first-line treatment for non-squamous non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Here, we report a patient with metastatic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) treated with Sintilimab for five cycles who developed shortness of breath after activity. The level of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were significantly increased. The cardiac MR suggested that heart function was slightly decreased. Considering that the patient did not take any illicit drugs, without history of autoimmune disease, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, or chronic heart failure, we diagnosed the patient with Sintilimab-induced myocarditis. The symptoms alleviated after rapid use of glucocorticoids. Myocarditis is a rare immune-related adverse events (irAEs), especially myocarditis induced by programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor in the treatment of LCNEC.

Based on SEER Database: Population Distribution, Survival Analysis, and Prognostic Factors of Organ Metastasis of Lung Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Background

The incidence rate of lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) in lung cancer is low, but the malignancy is high and the prognosis is poor. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to determine the population distribution of organ metastasis in LCNEC, conduct survival analysis, judge prognostic factors, and provide direction for follow-up diagnosis and treatment.

Materials and methods

By logging into the SEER database, the data of lung LCNEC were retrieved and the target population was selected. According to the presence or absence of organ metastasis (bone, brain, liver, and lung), we divided the target population into the no organ metastasis group (n = 1,202) and the organ metastasis group (n = 870). By analyzing the clinicopathological data of patients and using the survival function, the corresponding median survival time was obtained, and the influencing factors of each group were analyzed. Then, the significant influencing factors were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression analysis to screen out the independent influencing factors.

Result

In the overall sample group, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sex, age, primary site surgery, bone metastasis, brain metastasis, liver metastasis, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. The 1-year survival rate was 13.8% in the bone metastasis group, 19.1% in the brain metastasis group, 13.8% in the liver metastasis group, and 20.3% in the intrapulmonary metastasis group. In the organ metastasis group, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sex, chemotherapy, radiotherapy sequence with surgery, primary site surgery, liver metastasis, and age at diagnosis were independent factors affecting the prognosis.

Conclusion

In the overall sample of LCNEC, bone metastasis, brain metastasis, and liver metastasis all reduced the overall survival time, while the effect of intrapulmonary metastasis on the overall survival time was not statistically significant. Sex, chemotherapy, radiotherapy sequence with surgery, primary site surgery, liver metastasis, and age were independent factors affecting the prognosis of the LCNEC organ metastasis group. Women, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy sequence with surgery were favorable factors, while old age, liver metastasis, and male were unfavorable factors.

Effect of Adjuvant and Palliative Chemotherapy in Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary

Adjuvant chemotherapy revealed a better outcome than surgery only, but there was no statistical difference in patients with stage IA. The small cell lung cancer regimen (SCLC) was frequently selected in adjuvant chemotherapy. The SCLC regimen showed better survival than the non-SCLC regimen as palliative chemotherapy at the endpoint of the odds ratio of mortality after two years.

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare subset of lung carcinoma with poor overall survival. Methods: A systematic review following a meta-analysis of studies was performed to identify the effect of different selections of chemotherapy in LCNEC. Articles providing overall survival data for adjuvant chemotherapy or palliative chemotherapy for LCNEC were eligible. The odds ratio (OR) of mortality at one or two years after chemotherapy was evaluated. Results: A total of 16 reports were finally included in the quantitative synthesis, involving a total of 5916 LCNEC patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 1303 patients, and palliative chemotherapy was administered to 313 patients using either a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regimen. The OR for adjuvant chemotherapy was 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59 to 0.89, p = 0.002). The SCLC regimen showed an OR of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.11 to 2.38, p = 0.40) after one year, and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.89, p = 0.03) after two years, compared with the NSCLC regimen. Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy for pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma improved the outcome after surgery. The SCLC regimen showed better survival than the NSCLC regimen as palliative chemotherapy.

Complete and durable response of pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma to pembrolizumab

Background

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare and aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and standard therapy has not yet been established.

Case

A 65‐year‐old male with a cough for 2 months presented to our hospital. He was clinically diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer cT3N1M0 stage IIIA and underwent right pneumonectomy. The final diagnosis was pulmonary LCNEC pT3N1M0 stage IIIA. Multiple subcutaneous masses were detected 4 months after surgery, and biopsy revealed postoperative recurrence and metastasis. Chemotherapy with carboplatin plus etoposide was initiated. Subcutaneous masses increased and multiple new brain metastases developed after two cycles. Additional tests revealed that epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase were negative, and the programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression rate in tumor cells was 40% (22C3 clones). The primary cells infiltrating the tumor were CD3‐positive T cells and CD138‐positive plasma cells. Second‐line treatment with pembrolizumab was started. The shrinkage of subcutaneous masses was observed after one cycle, and the tumor had completely disappeared after six cycles. Treatment was continued for approximately 2 years. This response has been maintained for 4 years and is still ongoing.

Conclusion

Pembrolizumab may be used as a treatment option for pulmonary LCNEC.

[Progress of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Treatment of Advanced Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors]

Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a kind of epithelial tumors originating from pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, accounting for about 20% of primary lung tumors, including typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small cell carcinoma, and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The morphologic and clinical characteristics of these four types of PNETs are relatively highly heterogeneous. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown robust antitumor activity in a variety of solid tumors. Treatment regimens of advanced PNETs have developed greatly in the past decade, but ICIs are still in their infancy in the field of PNETs. This review focuses on the landscape of current clinical trials and research as well as the situation of ICIs-related biomarkers in PNETs.
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Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare, aggressive cancer with a dismal prognosis. The majority of cases occur in the lung and the gastrointestinal tract; however, it can occur throughout the body. Recently advances in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of this disease have paved the way for additional novel promising therapies. This review will discuss the current best evidence for management of LCNEC and new directions in the classification and treatment of this rare disease.

METHODS

We performed a PubMed search for "Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma" and "High grade neuroendocrine carcinoma." All titles were screened for relevance to the management of LCNEC. Papers were included based on relevance to the management of LCNEC.

RESULTS

Papers were included reviewing both pulmonary and extra pulmonary LCNEC. We summarized the data driven best practices for the management of both early and advanced stage LCNEC. We describe emerging therapies with promising potential.

DISCUSSION

LCNEC are rare and aggressive neoplasms. In advanced disease, the historical regimen of platinum based therapy in combination with etoposide or irinotecan remains among the commonly used first line therapies, however for extra thoracic LCNEC regimens like FOLFOX, FOLFOIRI and CAPTEM can also be used. Further effective and safe treatment options are desperately needed. Recently, new advances including a new understanding of the genetic subcategories of LCNEC and immunotherapy agents may guide further treatments.

Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Uncommon Histology

BACKGROUND

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved outcome of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients. However, their efficacy remains uncertain in uncommon histologies (UH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from ICI treated aNSCLC patients (April,2013-January,2021) in one Institution were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were estimated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression model, respectively. Objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 375 patients, 79 (21.1%) had UH: 19 (24.1%) sarcomatoid carcinoma, 15 (19.0%) mucinous adenocarcinoma, 10 (12.6%) enteric adenocarcinoma, 8 (10.1%) adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified, 7 (8.9%) large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, 6 (7.6%) mixed histology non-adenosquamous, 5 (6.3%) adenosquamous carcinoma, 9 (11.4%) other UH. In UH group, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) <1%, 1-49%, ≥50% and unknown expression were reported in 27.8%, 22.8%, 31.7% and 17.7% patients respectively and ICI was the second/further-line in the majority of patients. After a median follow-up of 35.64 months (m), median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 2.5 m in UH [95% CI 2.2-2.9 m] versus (vs.) 2.7 m in CH [95% CI 2.3-3.2 m, P-value = .584]; median overall survival (mOS) was 8.8 m [95% CI 4.9-12.6 m] vs. 9.7 m [95% CI 8.0-11.3 m, P-value = .653]. At multivariate analyses only ECOG PS was a confirmed prognostic factor in UH. ORR and DCR were 25.3% and 40.5% in UH vs. 21.6% and 49.5% in CH [P-value = .493 and .155 respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were detected between UH and CH groups. Prospective trials are needed to understand ICIs role in UH population.

Genomic Profiling and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung in East Asian Patients

BACKGROUND/AIM

In recent years, the genomic landscape of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the lung has been investigated. However, more data are necessary to elucidate the heterogeneous nature of NETs, especially in East Asian patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 64 patients who underwent surgical resection for lung NETs [26 typical or atypical carcinoid tumors, 21 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), and 19 small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs)] were enrolled, and samples from 46 patients were subjected to targeted next-generation sequencing.

RESULTS

Co-mutations of tumor protein p53 (TP53) and RB transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1) were detected in 15%, 42%, and 93% of carcinoid tumors, LCNECs, and SCLCs, respectively. Oncogenic or targetable genetic alterations identified in this study included mutations of KRAS proto-oncogene (KRAS), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), ALK receptor tyrosine kinase (ALK), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1), and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), as well as amplifications of erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), CD274 molecule (CD274), and MYCN proto-oncogene (MYCN). These alterations were more frequently found in high-grade NETs than in carcinoid tumors (33.3% vs. 7.7%). Programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression was strongly associated with the LCNEC subtype among NETs (p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

The mutational status of TP53 and RB1 was significantly associated with NET subtypes in East Asian patients. Targeted therapy or immunotherapy may serve as a treatment option in a subset of patients with high-grade NETs.

Large Cell Neuro-Endocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: Current Treatment Options and Potential Future Opportunities

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung (LCNECs) are rare tumors representing 1-3% of all primary lung cancers. Patients with LCNEC are predominantly male, older, and heavy smokers. Histologically, these tumors are characterized by large cells with abundant cytoplasm, high mitotic rate, and neuroendocrine immunohistochemistry-detected markers (chromogranin-A, synaptophysin, and CD56). In 2015 the World Health Organization classified LCNEC as a distinct subtype of pulmonary large-cell carcinoma and, therefore, as a subtype of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Because of the small-sized tissue samples and the likeness to other neuroendocrine tumors, the histological diagnosis of LCNEC remains difficult. Clinically, the prognosis of metastatic LCNECs is poor, with high rates of recurrence after surgery alone and overall survival of approximately 35% at 5 years, even for patients with early stage disease that is dramatically shorter compared with other NSCLC subtypes. First-line treatment options have been largely discussed but with limited data based on phase II studies with small sample sizes, and there are no second-line well defined treatments. To date, no standard treatment regimen has been developed, and how to treat LCNEC is still on debate. In the immunotherapy and targeted therapy era, in which NSCLC treatment strategies have been radically reshaped, a few data are available regarding these opportunities in LCNEC. Due to lack of knowledge in this field, many efforts have been done for a deeper understanding of the biological and molecular characteristics of LCNEC. Next generation sequencing analyses have identified subtypes of LCNEC that may be relevant for prognosis and response to therapy, but further studies are needed to better define the clinical impact of these results. Moreover, scarce data exist about PD-L1 expression in LCNEC and its predictive value in this histotype with regard to immunotherapy efficacy. In the literature some cases are reported concerning LCNEC metastatic patients carrying driver mutations, especially EGFR alterations, showing targeted therapy efficacy in this setting of disease. Due to the rarity and the challenging understanding of LCNEC, in this review we aim to summarize the management options currently available for treatment of LCNEC.

Real-world survival outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors in large-cell neuroendocrine tumors of lung

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with advanced large-cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma (aLCNEC).

METHODS

125 consecutive patients with aLCNEC were identified in the electronic databases of 4 participating cancer centers. The patients were divided into group A (patients who received ICI, n=41) and group B (patients who did not receive ICI, n=84). Overall survival since advanced disease diagnosis (OS DX) and OS since ICI initiation (OS ICI) were captured.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 11.8 months (mo) (IQR 7.5-17.9) and 6.0mo (IQR 3.1-10.9), 66% and 76% of patients died in groups A and B, respectively. Median OS DX was 12.4mo (95% CI 10.7 to 23.4) and 6.0mo (95% CI 4.7 to 9.4) in groups A and B, respectively (log-rank test, p=0.02). For ICI administration, HR for OS DX was 0.59 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.93, p=0.02-unadjusted), and 0.58 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.98, p=0.04-adjusted for age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), presence of liver metastases and chemotherapy administration). In a propensity score matching analysis (n=74; 37 patients in each group matched for age and ECOG PS), median OS DX was 12.5 mo (95% CI 10.6 to 25.2) and 8.4 mo (95% CI 5.4 to 16.9) in matched groups A and B, respectively (log-rank test, p=0.046). OS ICI for patients receiving ICI as monotherapy (n=36) was 11.0 mo (95% CI 6.1 to 19.4).

CONCLUSIONS

With the limitations of retrospective design and small sample size, the results of this real-world cohort analysis suggest a positive impact of ICI on OS in aLCNEC.

Primary Mediastinal Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case of Atypical Carcinoid

Primary mediastinal neuroendocrine tumor (PMNET) is an extremely rare clinical entity and few cases have been described in the literature. Here, we report a histologically confirmed rare PMNET case of a 66-year-old male patient with a mass detected in the anterior upper mediastinum by chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Early detection and surgical intervention of this neoplasm are critical for long term survival, though the tumor is associated with a dismal outcome.