Near 5-year survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer patient with ROS1 rearrangement, HER2 amplification, and KRAS G12C mutation-a case report.

Background

Pancreatic cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada. Although it is less common than other cancers, the mortality rate has remained high and stable since 1984, with a five-year net survival rate being the lowest of 23 reported cancers. The limited options for detection and treatment contribute to the high mortality rate. A developing area of treatment is tumour site agnostic targeted therapy, where patients' cancer is treated based on genomic alterations that are amenable to targeted agents, regardless of where the tumour originated.

Case Description

A 52-year-old man with no prior medical history presented with anemia, intermittent fatigue, post-prandial indigestion, and bloating, and 8-10 lbs of unintentional weight loss over a 1-year period. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and diffuse liver metastasis. He received multiple local and non-targeted systemic therapies. Serial genomic analyses sequentially revealed c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) receptor tyrosine kinase rearrangement, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification, and Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) G12C mutation throughout his journey, none of which were present at diagnosis. Each new genomic alteration prompted treatment change. Concurrent with systemic therapy, the patient also received numerous local treatments, including hepatic transarterial chemoembolization, Yttrium 90, Whipple procedure, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and CyberKnife. Over the course of the disease, metastases were found in the lungs, brain, and kidneys. Despite this, the patient had periods of remarkable response and quality of life evidenced by his cycling tour of France. However, nearly five years from diagnosis, the patient elected to pursue supportive care and died from his cancer.

Conclusions

This case report demonstrates the importance of repeat genomic analyses in the treatment of advanced cancer and timely access to targeted therapy. The clinical impact of utilizing a tumor-agnostic treatment approach based on these genomic alterations has the potential to yield a strong response both in survival and quality of life.

Informations de copyright

2023 Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jgo.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jgo-23-190/coif). SW reports honoraria fees and advisory boards from GlaxoSmithKline, Eisai, and Merck. MV reports consulting fees from Seagen, honoraria from Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb; payment for expert testimony from the Canadian Medical Protective Association; advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Hoffmann-La Roche, Pfizer, Amgen, Apotex, Novartis, Abbvie, Sanofi, Merck, Johnson & Jonson, and Bayer; independent director and stock in Aptose Biosciences Inc.; CEO and president of Sarissa Inc. and patents planned, issued or pending 16/065,641, 09/509,418, 2,865,468, 15/161,424, 14/004/416, 62/646,147, WO 2022/140860 A1. DB reports consulting fees from Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda, and Amgen; and honoraria from AstraZeneca, Merck, Amgen, and Bayer. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.