Complete response to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and capecitabine in microsatellite stable, Epstein-Barr virus-positive, locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma: case report

AME Case Rep. 2021 Jul 25:5:30. doi: 10.21037/acr-21-11. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Immunotherapy has been established as a standard in select molecular subgroups of treatment-refractory advanced gastric cancer. However, its role in resectable gastric cancer where perioperative systemic therapy is the standard remains unclear. We present a case of a man who was diagnosed with resectable gastric cancer that was microsatellite stable but programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-positive. Given extenuating circumstances of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, preferences to limit exposure to the healthcare setting, and the unique tumor molecular features, neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and capecitabine was pursued after multidisciplinary discussion. He was able to achieve a complete response to this neoadjuvant regimen with no further signs of radiographic or pathologic disease on follow-up. We highlight a dramatic response to this novel approach that represents among the first cases to support a potentially viable neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy strategy to resectable gastric cancer. In select patients, perioperative immunotherapy-based therapy may constitute a promising strategy in resectable gastric cancer and warrants further investigation.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; Gastric cancer; case report; immunotherapy; neoadjuvant therapy; pembrolizumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports