title: Successful Treatment of an Aggressive Tracheal Malignancy With Immunotherapy.
abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are emerging as therapeutic options for oncology patients in whom conventional treatment regimens have failed. These immunotherapies counteract tumor-induced tolerance and have been shown to be effective in thoracic malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This report highlights the successful use of nivolumab-an immunotherapeutic agent that binds to proteins involved in T-cell proliferation-for the management of recurrent tracheal squamous cell cancer after exhaustion of conventional surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation therapy options. Observations provide a strong indication of the potential value of checkpoint inhibitors for managing a wide array of thoracic malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Asishana A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Osho
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Azzoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mino-Kenudson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Faquin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Tiffany G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mathisen
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: amuniappan@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muniappan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000077594:Nivolumab; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000077594:Nivolumab