Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

18 October 2018 : Case report  USA

The Role of Immunotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Tumor Chemosensitivity in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Unusual clinical course, Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment

Saad O. Atiq1ABCDEFG*, Osman O. Atiq2BEF, Mohammad O. Atiq3EG, Kara C. Phillips1EF, Blake B. Jacks4BE, Mauricio Moreno5ABCD, Sanjay Maraboyina5ABCD, Omar T. Atiq5ABCD

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.910224

Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:1241-1244

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the second leading cause of death internationally, resulting in millions of deaths each year. While treatment in the past has heavily relied on surgery and radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are being increasingly utilized depending on disease presentation.

CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with a 3-week history of a rapidly enlarging left supraclavicular neck mass. Computed tomography scan revealed a 12×13 cm mass extending from the angle of the mandible to the supraclavicular area. A biopsy confirmed advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The patient was started on a chemotherapy regimen of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TCF). The tumor progressed through chemotherapy, which was switched to cetuximab; however, this therapy was discontinued after an anaphylactic reaction. Palliative radiation treatment was begun along with pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab was continued, and after 9 cycles, the patient’s cancer was almost in complete remission. Three months later, disease progression was once again noted with pembrolizumab treatment, which was subsequently discontinued. The patient was started on paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy regimen as a last resort, despite failure of prior TCF treatment, and the patient responded, this time with complete remission in 4 months.

CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates a unique outcome in which a patient who previously was resistant to chemotherapy, later responded to chemotherapy after a trial of radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Immunotherapy may have a synergistic effect with radiation therapy and play a role in tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy in head and neck cancer treatment.

Keywords: Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant, Immunotherapy, Active

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

Case report  Saudi Arabia

Term Pregnancy in Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: Successful Management of Congenital Obstructed Hemivag...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947938  

Case report  India

HIV-Negative African American Man with Gastrointestinal Kaposi Sarcoma Associated with Adalimumab Treatment...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947163  

Case report  Switzerland

Adult Acute Appendicitis Complicated by Intestinal Malrotation: A Case Analysis

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.949194  

Case report  China

Innovative Reconstruction of Depressed Abdominal Scars Using Adipofascial Flaps and W-Plasty

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.948731  

Most Viewed Current Articles

21 Jun 2024 : Case report  China (mainland) 101,839

Intracranial Parasitic Fetus in a Living Infant: A Case Study with Surgical Intervention and Prognosis Anal...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.944371

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e944371

0:00

07 Mar 2024 : Case report  USA 54,458

Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United States

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133

0:00

20 Nov 2023 : Case report  Saudi Arabia 38,088

Azithromycin Treatment for Acne Vulgaris: A Case Report on the Risk of Clostridioides difficile Infection

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.941424

Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e941424

0:00

07 Jul 2023 : Case report  Saudi Arabia 25,936

A Classical Case of Cesarean Scar Endometriosis in a 35-Year-Old Woman Presenting with Cyclical Abdominal P...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.940200

Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e940200

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923