HER2 exon 20 mutant non-small cell lung cancer with complete remission of intracranial metastases with trastuzumab deruxtecan: a case report

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is a novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate formed by the combination of trastuzumab and deruxtecan. It is used in human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2) mutant breast, stomach and colorectal cancers as well as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The 58-year-old denovo metastatic NSCLC patient we will discuss here progressed with newly developing brain metastasis under first-line carboplatin/paclitaxel treatment. After next generation sequencing revealed a mutation in the ERBB2 gene located in exon 20, we administered T-DXd to our patient. While a significant improvement was observed in the clinical condition of the patient after one course of treatment, brain metastases were found to be in complete response in control screening after four courses of treatment. Systemic screening with PET/computed tomography showed nearly complete regression of the primary lesion, metastatic lymphadenopathies, and surrenal metastases. T-DXd may be successfully used in HER2 mutant metastatic NSCLC patients. In addition, it can also be successfully used in patients with central nervous system metastases with or without cranial radiotherapy.