Frontiers in Oncology (Jul 2023)

Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib in advanced endometrial cancer: case report and systematic review of lung toxicity

  • Nicoletta Staropoli,
  • Nicoletta Staropoli,
  • Angela Salvino,
  • Federica Falcone,
  • Valentina Farenza,
  • Martina Costa,
  • Giacomo Rossini,
  • Francesco Manti,
  • Antonella Crispino,
  • Caterina Riillo,
  • Domenico Ciliberto,
  • Mariamena Arbitrio,
  • Pierfrancesco Tassone,
  • Pierfrancesco Tassone,
  • Pierosandro Tagliaferri,
  • Pierosandro Tagliaferri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2023.1145986
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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BackgroundThe optimal strategy for the treatment of recurrent and/or advanced endometrial cancer is still undefined. Recently, despite the lack of any predictive biomarker, the combination of pembrolizumab with lenvatinib has improved survival outcomes. We here report the long-term management of lung toxicity in a patient with endometrial cancer, and we critically review the current therapeutic options for this disease.ResultsA patient with heavily pretreated endometrial cancer took pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib for 1 year, achieving a persistent partial response with a time to treatment failure of 18 months, despite relevant lung toxicity that did not affect the remarkable overall clinical benefit. A systematic review of this combination underlines the efficacy outcome despite toxicity. Interestingly, the literature review on lung toxicity suggested the role of anti-angiogenetic agents in the pathogenesis of lung cavitation, probably related to direct treatment activity, and disclosed a potential radiological sign predictive of the activity of anti-angiogenetic agents.ConclusionWe underline the efficacy of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib in the current treatment landscape of endometrial cancer, underscoring the relevance of a correct management of toxicity.

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