COVID-19 infection during treatment with pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

The use of pembrolizumab with chemotherapy in first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an opportunity for patients to suppress their disease and increase their chances of life extension. COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) vaccination is an opportunity for cancer patients to reduce their risk of disease and have a benign disease course. In this report, we present a benign course of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection in 68-year-old patient with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma undergoing chemoimmunotherapy who had previously received full COVID-19 vaccination. The control CT scans performed after 3 months of treatment showed partial regression of the tumor mass. On control tomography after 6 months, an intensification of fibro-consolidative changes and ground glass opacities were described. The lesions were characteristic of a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The neoplastic lesions described on tomography showed stabilization. After 9 months, long-term stabilization of the disease was achieved. Patients undergoing immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy may be at risk of developing severe COVID-19. Therefore, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 should be strongly recommended in lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. Copyright © 2022 Via Medica.