BRAF V600Q-mutated lung adenocarcinoma with duodenal metastasis and extreme leukocytosis

Multiple targets, germline BRCA1 mutation and HRD in a lung cancer patient: Molecular considerations and treatment decision-making

INTRODUCTION

Several biomarkers are currently available to address targeted treatments in cancer patients, with lung malignancies representing one of the best examples.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report the case of a patient affected by advanced non-small cell lung cancer with an uncommon histology and a complex biology. The use of a large next-generation sequencing (NGS) NGS panel allowed us to identify an extremely rare BRAF mutation (V600Q), a MET amplification, a high tumor mutational burden, a germline pathogenetic BRCA1 mutation and a homologous recombination deficiency through RAD51 assay. The treatment decision was driven by the abundance of molecular information.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights that an attentive and critical evaluation of molecular reports is key for the tailoring of treatment algorithms at the patient-level scale.

Delayed Diagnosis of Duodenal Metastasis From Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

The incidence of lung cancer metastasizing to the duodenum is rare, and its clinical presentation is still not fully understood due to its low frequency. It can be asymptomatic or present symptomatically in various ways. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old female with an unusual case of duodenal metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma, presenting with a new-onset seizure complicated by a fracture from a post-ictal fall. The diagnosis of anemia secondary to duodenal metastasis from lung cancer was delayed due to this sequence of events. The patient was ultimately found to have a circumferential mass in the third portion of the duodenum on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which was found to be consistent with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma on pathological examination.

Pathogenic and Prognostic Roles of Paraneoplastic Leukocytosis in Cervical Cancer: Can Genomic-Based Targeted Therapies Have a Role? A Literature Review and an Emblematic Case Report

Tumor-associated leukocytosis has been associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer. Leukemoid reaction (i.e., white blood cell count > 40,000/μL) is defined paraneoplastic (PLR) when it occurs in the presence of a cytokine-secreting tumor (CST) without neoplastic bone marrow infiltration. Cervical cancers displaying PLR represent a peculiar entity characterized by a rapidly progressive behavior typically associated with chemo-radioresistance. The present paper aims to review the literature about the pathogenetic mechanisms of PLR and its prognostic role in cervical cancer. Moreover, it reports the emblematic case of a patient with an advanced cervical cancer associated with PLR that was chemotherapy resistant. The patient underwent a palliative cytoreductive surgery of high complexity, obtaining a temporary regression of PLR. The tumor sample stained positive for G-CSF and IL-6, thus indicating a CST. Notably, the tumor genomic analysis revealed a PI3CKA mutation. Therefore, at the instrumental evidence of a rapidly progressive disease relapse, which was accompanied by reappearance of PLR, we started a targeted treatment with a selective PIK3 inhibitor alpesilib combined with the JAK1-2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. We achieved a relief of symptoms and leukocytosis; however, severe side effects necessitated the treatment suspension. In conclusion, as therapeutic strategies for cancer with PLR are scarcely reported in literature, our study could contribute to expand our understanding of the topic and provide a basis for further research.

Severe Epistaxis Secondary to Dabrafenib and Trametinib Toxicity in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma With Small Bowel Metastasis

BRAF mutations are estimated to be present in 2-4% of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cases. BRAF inhibitor (dabrafenib) and MEK inhibitor (trametinib) are currently approved to treat NSCLC harboring the BRAF V600E mutation. However, the use of this new combined targeted therapy can be associated with severe and life-threatening toxicities.

Here, we describe the case of a 77-year-old male with a history of BRAF-positive lung adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the brain, adrenals, and small bowel (jejunum), currently on dual therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib, who presented with refractory epistaxis. The dual therapy regimen was started one month prior to his presentation. After initial stabilization with anterior nasal packing, intravenous and nebulized tranexamic acid (TXA) in the emergency department (ED), he suddenly developed respiratory decompensation. He needed emergent intubation for acute hypoxic respiratory failure and airway protection secondary to profuse bleeding. He was extubated 24 hours later as the epistaxis was manageable, and the nasal packing was removed. Shortly after extubating, he started coughing copious amounts of blood and developed respiratory distress with stridor requiring re-intubation. A large blood clot was noted to be partially occluding the vocal cords on laryngoscopy and was removed during intubation. An emergent flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed with the retrieval of a large blood clot extending from the oropharynx down into the distal trachea. There was no evidence of acute bleeding within the lung after the clot was removed. Workup to explore the cause of his bleeding included a coagulation profile, which was unrevealing. His bleeding was most likely consistent with a side effect of his treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib.

Life-threatening bleeding has been reported as a side effect of the combination therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib in metastatic melanoma. Also, in the phase 2 clinical trial (BRF113928) of dabrafenib plus trametinib in patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic NSCLC, 3.2% of subjects developed a grade III or IV hemorrhage. Our case aims to raise physicians' awareness of one of the significant side effects of this combination therapy especially since this combination is being used more frequently and now also in lung cancer.

Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction: Case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

We recently encountered a patient with unexplained hyperleukocytosis (105.4 K/μL at presentation), subsequently found to have colon cancer with a marked tumor-associated neutrophilic infiltrate; the leukocytosis abruptly improved after tumor removal. Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PLR) is a rare entity, occurring due to tumor cytokine secretion (typically granulocyte-colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]). We describe a case and aggregate results of previously published cases.

METHODS

We reviewed the English-language literature for all prior reports of PLR, recording age, gender, histologic diagnosis, WBC count, G-CSF level, and overall survival. We analyzed clinicopathologic variables' impact on survival.

RESULTS

We identified 179 cases (mean age 64; 72 % M). Adeno-, squamous cell, sarcomatoid, and undifferentiated carcinomas accounted for >70 %. Esophagus, gallbladder, lung, liver, and pancreas were the most common primaries. At time of publication 81 % of patients had died, with mean overall survival of 4 months. There was no correlation between WBC count and G-CSF level. On univariate analysis, WBC count was the only variable associated with survival (P = 0.03). Patients with WBC counts >100 K/μL were twice as likely to die as those with counts from 11 K to 40 K/μL.

CONCLUSIONS

PLR, typically carcinoma-associated, is characterized by dismal prognosis. The WBC count is inversely related to survival. Knowledge of this phenomenon militates against protracted, expensive work ups. In malignant neoplasms with prominent neutrophilic stroma, the pathologist should correlate with the WBC count and, if markedly elevated (>40 K/μL), raise consideration for PLR.

Paraneoplastic leukemoid reactions induced by cytokine-secreting tumours

Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction (PLR) is the extreme leukocytosis that occurs due to a non-haematolymphoid cytokine-secreting tumour (CST) in the absence of bone marrow infiltration by that solid tumour. The clinical presentation is widely variable, and therefore challenging. If the underlying malignancy is not clinically apparent, PLR could be mistaken for myeloproliferative neoplasms, altering the patient’s management. CSTs are highly aggressive tumours associated with a poor prognosis due to multiple mechanisms. Localising and treating the underlying malignancy is the mainstay of treatment. Both the treating clinician and the pathologist should keep a high level of suspicion for this entity in patients having unexplained leukocytosis. We herein discuss the underlying mechanisms, clinical presentation, pathological features, differential diagnosis and prognosis of this rare entity. An emphasis on the role of the pathologist is provided since the lack of knowledge on this entity can lead to dramatic effects on the patient, including unnecessary diagnostic testing and treatments.