Case report: Major pathologic response induced by neoadjuvant treatment using BRAF and MEK inhibitors in a patient...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Targeted therapy is effective in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with driver mutations.
• Neoadjuvant targeted therapy is an emerging strategy, with established efficacy for EGFR-TKI and ALK-TKI.
• No prior reports exist on neoadjuvant targeted therapy for BRAF V600E-mutated NSCLC.

Observation:

• A patient with stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) harbored a BRAF V600E mutation.
• The patient received neoadjuvant targeted therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors.
• This was followed by radical surgical excision.

Findings:

• The neoadjuvant targeted therapy achieved a major pathologic response (MPR).
• This represents the first reported case of successful neoadjuvant targeted therapy for BRAF V600E-mutated NSCLC.
• The combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors demonstrated significant efficacy.

Implications:

• BRAF and MEK inhibitors can be considered a viable neoadjuvant strategy for select NSCLC patients with BRAF V600E mutations.
• This case expands the therapeutic options for early-stage NSCLC with specific genetic alterations.
• Further investigation into neoadjuvant targeted therapy for BRAF-mutated NSCLC is warranted.