Frontline pembrolizumab for the treatment of RET-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer: A case report

Abstract

RET-rearrangement occurs in 1 to 2% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), typically among non-smokers, and it is associated with an increased incidence of brain metastasis. While selpercatinib and pralsetinib are active for RET-rearranged NSCLC, the optimal standard frontline regimen for this clinical setting remains undefined. Here, we report on a patient with RET-rearranged NSCLC who received frontline pembrolizumab and achieved a complete tumor response lasting for 29 months and ongoing. Single-agent ICI can be an effective frontline treatment for RET-rearranged NSCLC.

Keywords

• Programmed death-1
• Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitor
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• RET