A Case of Complete Remission in Proficient Mismatch Repair (pMMR) Advanced Colon Cancer Treated with Sintilimab and XELOX

Abstract

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common malignant tumors after breast cancer and lung cancer, accounting for 9.4% of patients. Some patients had distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis without surgery opportunity. It is particularly important to prolong patient survival and improve quality of life.

Patient Concerns

A 73-year-old female was admitted with discomfort over 2 months. Enlarged lymph nodes in the left supraclavicular fossa were observed in chest computed tomography (CT). Enhanced abdominal CT showed thickening of the right colon wall with multiple metastatic lymph nodes in the abdomen. Colonoscopy showed ileocecal mass and pathology showed moderately and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Physical examination showed a 2*2 cm lymph node could be touched in the left supraclavicular fossa. The patient was diagnosed advanced colon cancer by the histopathological examination and imaging findings. Actually, it is hardly to resect radically.

Intervention

Sintilimab combined with XELOX was initiated. Two period of treatment after initial therapy, laparoscopic radical resection of right colon cancer was performed successfully.

Outcomes

After conversion treatment, the enlarged lymph nodes and primary tumor were significantly reduced. The patient was discharged successfully three weeks after surgery. Both specimen and 14 lymph nodes dissected showed no malignancy in pathology. Tumor regression grading (TRG) is 0, which indicate complete regression with no residual tumor cells including lymph nodes. The patient obtained a pathological complete response (pCR).

Lessons

The patient achieved a great therapeutic benefit with the above-mentioned chemotherapy in this case. The case provides a potential reference for pMMR CRC patients treating with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Keywords:

• immunotherapy
• sintilimab
• advanced colon cancer
• pathological complete response
• microsatellite stability
• case report

Abbreviations

CT, computed tomography; pCR, pathological complete response; TRG, Tumor regression grading.

Ethics

We confirm that institutional approval required for publication of these case details and accompanying images have been obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of Wuhu Second People’s Hospital in China.

Consent for Publication

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s for the publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding to report.