Work

Case Report: Complete pathologic response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy-chemotherapy in a patient with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: RET fusions are rare, and occur in 1%-2% of all non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. While neoadjuvant immunotherapy-chemotherapy has demonstrated significant benefit for resectable NSCLC, data remain limited for oncogene-positive NSCLC, particularly for rare alterations like RET fusions. Herein, we present a clinical case of a patient with stage IIIA RET fusion-positive adenocarcinoma who received neoadjuvant nivolumab immunotherapy combined with nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy followed by surgery. The postoperative pathologic results revealed pathological complete response (pCR) and no residual viable tumor cells were observed in lymph nodes. This case validates the clinical activity of immunotherapy-chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting, providing a foundation for continued exploration in the treatment of early-stage RET fusion-positive NSCLC.

Source: Frontiers in Oncology

DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1730615

Authors: Yan Wang, Yan Zhang, Chenlei Cai, Xinyu Liu, Shengxiang Ren, Songwen Zhou

Institutions: Tongji University, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Lung Cancer Treatments and Mutations

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801