A case of ROS1 fusion gene-positive lung adenocarcinoma that increased rapidly after the introduction of tacrolimus
Soichi Maruyamaa Taro Takahashia Yoneko Hayaseb Daisuke Kobayashib Takayuki Hondac Yukihiko Sugiyamaa
aDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital
bDepartment of Pathology, Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital
cDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital
Tacrolimus is thought to be involved in the development of malignant tumors including lung carcinoma. A 43-year-old woman diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus started tacrolimus. Four months later follow-up computed tomography showed a newly appeared irregular mass in her right lower lobe and enlarged mediastinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes. A pathological review of the mediastinal lymph node specimens obtained by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma including signet-ring cells, which indicated lung carcinoma (cT4N3M0, cStage IIIC). Panel testing using AmoyDx® revealed the c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) fusion gene. After crizotinib was administered, the carcinoma shrank markedly. Lung carcinoma appeared in a young woman after the introduction of tacrolimus and rapidly increased over a very short time. To monitor the possible development of lung carcinoma, careful follow-up is important for patients receiving tacrolimus.
Tacrolimus Systemic lupus erythematosus ROS1 fusion gene Signet-ring cell carcinoma
Received 13 Feb 2023 / Accepted 8 May 2023
AJRS, 12(4): 210-214, 2023