title: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in EGFR-Mutated Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung? A Case Report.
abstract: Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung is a high-grade carcinoma belonging to the neuroendocrine tumors of the lung and is different from typical lung large-cell carcinoma. It represents about 3% of all pulmonary malignancies and is characterized by neuroendocrine cytologic features. The treatment usually is platinum-based chemotherapy, however the outcome remains poor. Therefore new therapeutic options are needed. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have demonstrated greater efficacy and better tolerability than standard chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. EGFR gene mutations were also rarely identified in LCNEC. We report a patient with lung LCNEC activating EGFR mutations who showed an impressive response to gefitinib.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aroldi
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bertocchi
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meriggi
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abeni
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ogliosi
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.affiliation: Pathologic Anatomy Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zambelli
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bnà
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Poliambulanza Foundation, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaniboni
keywords: Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation; Gefitinib; Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors