Spontaneous regression of small cell lung cancer combined with cancer associated retinopathy

Lung Cancer. 2015 Jan;87(1):73-6. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.10.015. Epub 2014 Nov 3.

Abstract

Spontaneous regression (SR) is defined as the complete or partial disappearance of disease without anticancer treatments. We report a case of SR of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) combined with cancer associated retinopathy (CAR). A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital to examine abnormal shadows of the lung with visual loss. She was diagnosed with SCLC associated with CAR. Subsequent chest X-ray and CT scan showed partial regression of both primary tumor and lymph node metastasis without anticancer treatment. Recoverin antigen was present on the tumor cells and anti-recoverin antibody was observed in the patient's serum. Activation of recoverin-specific antitumor cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) was observed in this patient. SCLC was considered to reduce spontaneously by the activation of recoverin-specific antitumor CTL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of SR in SCLC combined with CAR.

Keywords: Cancer associated retinopathy; Cytotoxic T lymphocytes; Immnologic reaction; Recoverin; Small cell lung cancer; Spontaneous regression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Retinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / complications*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome