A durable complete response to immunotherapy in a patient with metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma

Tumori. 2020 Dec;106(6):NP9-NP13. doi: 10.1177/0300891620928133. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Abstract

Background: Recent years have brought the dynamic development of a new method of cancer treatment: immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies blocking the programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) are now widely used in the treatment of several malignancies: melanoma, lung, head and neck cancer, among others. The therapeutic benefit of immunotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has not yet been proven. The exception is results obtained in the treatment of a rare STS subtype alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS).

Case report: We describe a case of a man with a diagnosis of metastatic ASPS in whom the use of immunotherapy with nivolumab resulted in excellent long-term clinical benefit and a pathologically confirmed complete response.

Conclusion: There are strong indications that immunotherapy may become the next important treatment method of ASPS.

Keywords: Alveolar soft part sarcoma; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological