Simultaneous Acquisition of T790M Mutation and SCLC Transformation during Targeted Therapy in EGFR-Mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Rare Case Report.

BACKGROUND Various resistance mechanisms of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) have been reported, and approximately half of the cases show a T790M point mutation as resistance to EGFR-TKI. In addition, 3-14% of cases of non-small cell lung cancer transform into small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) during treatment. However, there are few reported cases in which 2 mechanisms of resistance have been observed simultaneously. This report describes a 66-year-old man with initial presentation of stage IIA right-sided lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR gene exon 21 L858R mutation and 3 years of stable disease. During treatment with erlotinib, the patient developed SCLC and adenocarcinoma with EGFR exon 21 L858R and exon 20 T790M mutation. CASE REPORT A 66-year-old man underwent right pneumonectomy plus nodal dissection 2a for right hilar lung cancer and was diagnosed with an EGFR exon21 L858R mutated lung adenocarcinoma. Three years later, pleural dissemination was observed in the right chest wall. Although erlotinib was continued for 52 months, new metastases to the right ribs were detected. Chest wall tumor resection was performed. Based on the World Health Organization classification, the patient was diagnosed with combined SCLC, with EGFR exon21 L858R and exon20 T790M mutation. The patient received 4 cycles of carboplatin plus etoposide, 14 cycles of amrubicin, and 2 cycles of irinotecan. Chemotherapy continued for 25 months. CONCLUSIONS Long-term survival was achieved by chemotherapy after transformation. Since EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer shows a variety of acquired resistances, it is important to consider the treatment strategy of performing re-biopsy.

A patient with mild respiratory COVID-19 infection who developed bilateral non-hemorrhagic adrenal infarction.

A 76-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room of Nagano Municipal Hospital with the complain of severe back pain. Chest and abdominal enhanced computed tomography scans showed bilateral adrenal infarction and minute pulmonary nodules, but she had no respiratory symptoms. After admission, a family member of the patient was found to have been in close contact with a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient. Thus, polymerase chain reaction and antigen tests of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were conducted, and both tests returned positive. D-dimer levels were normal on admission but increased 2 days thereafter. Anticoagulation therapy and steroid replacement were started, and the patient improved over about two weeks. One month after the onset of adrenal infarction, a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone loading test was conducted, which revealed that the primary adrenal insufficiency due to adrenal infarction might have been caused by the COVID-19 infection. This case was rare and suggestive of adrenal infarction with COVID-19, which usually presents at the severe stage. In patients with COVID-19, attention should be paid to the onset of thrombosis, even with mild respiratory infection. We also suggest that patients with thrombosis should be suspected of having COVID-19 even in the absence of respiratory infectious symptoms in a situation of COVID-19 epidemic.

Corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019: A report of two cases and literature review.

The effect of systemic corticosteroids on clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains controversial. While the use of corticosteroids raises concerns regarding delayed viral clearance, secondary infections, and long-term complications that can lead to increased mortality, corticosteroids have the potential to reduce mortality if used appropriately. Herein, we report good outcomes in two patients with COVID-19 who received systemic corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy. An 83-year-old man with hypertension and smoking history and a 62-year-old man with a drinking habit were transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19. The patients developed general malaise and loss of appetite with persistent high fever. Despite the prescription of antiviral drugs, their hypoxemia progressed rapidly. However, after the introduction of systemic corticosteroids, their symptoms improved as the fever decreased, and their hypoxemia gradually improved. These results suggest that some patients with COVID-19 may benefit from the appropriate use of systemic corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy.

[Osimertinib Was Effective for Liver Metastasis after Surgery for Lung Cancer with Simultaneous Expression of EGFR L858Ra nd T790M Mutations-A Case Report].

A 63-year-old woman underwent right lower lobectomy and mediastinal dissection for lung cancer. At 5 years and 5 months after surgery, chest computed tomography revealed multiple liver metastasis. EGFR gene mutations of L858R and T790M were detected in both the primary lung cancer lesion and the liver metastasis specimen. Gefitinib was initiated as the first-line treatment, but the tumors increased in size. Osimertinib, as second-line treatment, was remarkably effective against the liver metastatic lesions and it maintained a partial response for approximately 1 year. Thus, osimertinib was effective for liver metastasis of lung cancer with EGFR mutations of L858R and T790M.