Pembrolizumab Shows Promise in Treating Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma with Lynch Syndrome

Strategic Insights -

A new case report has been published detailing a remarkable response to pembrolizumab in a patient with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma and Lynch syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that increases the risk of certain cancers. According to the study, a 73-year-old woman with advanced cancer showed significant reductions in all lesions after just four cycles of pembrolizumab monotherapy. This case highlights the potential of immunotherapy in treating rare and aggressive cancers.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 73-year-old woman with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma and Lynch syndrome demonstrated an excellent response to pembrolizumab, with significant reductions in all lesions after four cycles.
  • The patient's cancer was diagnosed as Lynch syndrome due to a germline pathogenic variant of the MSH6 gene.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an MSH6 deficiency, confirming the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome.
  • Pembrolizumab monotherapy was effective in inducing a remarkable clinical and radiological response in the patient.
  • Genetic analysis played a beneficial role in identifying the underlying genetic mutation responsible for the patient's cancer.
  • This case report contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of immunotherapy in treating rare and aggressive cancers.
  • The study was published in the IJU Case Reports journal, a peer-reviewed publication of Wiley.

Statistics:

  • The patient was 73 years old at the time of diagnosis.
  • The cancer was classified as metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma.
  • The patient received four cycles of pembrolizumab monotherapy.
  • The patient showed significant reductions in all lesions after four cycles.
  • The study was published in the IJU Case Reports journal in 2025, volume 8, issue 4.

Sources:

IJU Case Reports. An Excellent Clinical and Radiological Response Pattern to Pembrolizumab in a Patient With Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma and Lynch Syndrome. 2025, 8(4):361-364.

NewsRx. Study Findings from Cancer Institute Hospital Update Knowledge in Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (An Excellent Clinical and Radiological Response Pattern to Pembrolizumab in a Patient With Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma and ...). Immunotherapy Weekly. July 16, 2025; p 5335.