Immunotherapy Treatment for Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Su H1,2*, Ma X2, Yu C3, Yu X4 and Sun G1

1Department of Oncology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, China
2The Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao Cancer Hospital, China
3Department of Orthopedics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, China
4Department of Radiotherapy, Liaocheng People's Hospital, China

^*Correspondance to: Hui Su 

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Abstract:

Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma (SRCC) is the most fatal type of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) and is histologically characterized by the presence of spindle-shaped mesenchymal-like cells in any RCC subtype. SRCC is clinically rare, accounting for approximately 1.0% to 1.5% of renal parenchymal tumors. Sarcomatoid changes indicate increased frequency of aggressive behavior of the tumor, including rapid progression and poor prognosis. Although the concept of SRCC was proposed in 1968, the molecular mechanisms and immunological characteristics of sarcomatoid changes remain unclear. In the era of targeted therapy, the Overall Survival (OS) of patients with SRCC is typically less than 12 months. Considering that the positivity rate of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) is higher in SRCC subgroups, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI), especially Programmed cell Death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, have considerable therapeutic potential. This article reports a case of SRCC in an 81-year-old male. Progression-Free Survival (PFS) was as long as 25 months and OS was 30 months after immunotherapy and the effect was significant. This is the first report of successful use toripalimab in the treatment of SRCC. Immunotherapy improved the prognosis of this patient, and ICI may impact SRCC management in the future.

Keywords:

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma; Immunotherapy; Toripalimab; Immune checkpoint inhibitors

Cite the Article:

Su H, Ma X, Yu C, Yu X, Sun G. Immunotherapy Treatment for Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2023; 8: 2440.