Case Report: Abscopal Effect of Microwave Ablation in a Patient With Advanced Squamous NSCLC and Resistance to Immunotherapy

Front Immunol. 2021 Aug 3:12:696749. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.696749. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Currently, immunotherapy has been a backbone in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver gene mutations. However, only a small proportion of NSCLC patients respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and majority of patients with initial response will develop acquired resistance at 5 years, which usually manifests as oligo-progression or oligo-metastases. Evidence from multiple clinical trials indicates that local consolidative therapies could improve the prognosis of oligometastatic NSCLC patients. Herein, we reported a case of advanced squamous lung cancer which showed a durable abscopal effect from microwave ablation after acquired resistance of immunotherapy.

Keywords: ablation; abscopal effect; immunotherapy; lung cancer; oligo-progression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ablation Techniques*
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Microwaves / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors