Small cell carcinoma of the kidney treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor/tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Abstract

IntroductionSmall cell carcinoma (SCC) of the kidney is extremely rare. Although the majority of patients with advanced renal small cell carcinoma were treated with a combination of cisplatin and etoposide, the efficacy was limited. We report the first case with renal small cell carcinoma who received nivolumab and cabozantinib.Case presentationA 57‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital with a massive left kidney mass and several bone, lymph nodes, liver, and lung metastases. A left renal mass biopsy made the diagnosis of small cell carcinoma. Nivolumab and cabozantinib were used in combination therapy. The tumors were stable during the treatment for 4 weeks. However, the treatment was halted due to a serious adverse event, immune‐related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Although immune‐related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was resolved with corticosteroids, the patient died 3 months after the initiation of nivolumab and cabozantinib.ConclusionWe reported the first case of renal small cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab and cabozantinib.