Response of cholangiocarcinoma with epigastric metastasis to lenvatinib plus sintilimab: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its low radical resection rate and a propensity for high postoperative recurrence, resulting in a poor dismal. Although the combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy has demonstrated notable efficacy in several solid tumors recently, however, its application in CCA remains underexplored and poorly documented.

CASE SUMMARY

This case report describes a patient diagnosed with stage IV CCA, accompanied by liver and abdominal wall metastases, who underwent palliative surgery. Subsequently, the patient received two cycles of treatment combining lenvatinib with sintilimab, which resulted in a reduction in abdominal wall metastasis, while intrahepatic metastasis displayed progression. This unexpected observation illustrates different responses of intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases to the same therapy.

CONCLUSION

Lenvatinib combined with sintilimab shows promise as a potential treatment strategy for advanced CCA. Genetic testing for related driver and/or passenger mutations, as well as an analysis of tumor immune microenvironment analysis, is crucial for optimizing drug combinations and eventually addressing the issue of non-response in specific metastatic sites.

Key Words: Cholangiocarcinoma; Immune-checkpoint-inhibitor; Lenvatinib; Sintilimab; Epigastric metastasis; Immunotherapy; Case report

Core Tip: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly lethal hepatobiliary neoplasm. This report presents a case with advanced CCA who received immunotherapy, revealing differences in treatment responses between intrahepatic vs. extrahepatic epigastric metastatic sites. This hitherto unreported phenomenon prompted us to investigate the differential outcomes of these metastatic patterns following treatment with lenvatinib combined with sintilimab, culminating in a summary report elucidating potential underlying mechanisms.

INTRODUCTION

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), characterized by its high lethality within the hepatobiliary malignancy spectrum, traditionally necessitates surgical management as the primary therapeutic approach. However, due to multifaceted clinical considerations, only about 50% of patients with CCA are considered suitable candidates for surgical intervention based on preoperative assessment[1]. Moreover, surgical procedures often unveil multiple tumor metastases, thereby limiting the feasibility of surgical resection to a mere 30%[2]. Even with surgical intervention, the persistent risk of locoregional recurrence or lymph node metastasis rate remains high. Currently, chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for advanced CCA, yet it yields suboptimal outcomes[3].

The emergence of immunotherapy, particularly immune-checkpoint-inhibitors (ICIs), has ignited optimism for patients with CCA[4]. Previous studies on CCA have underscored the superiority of combined immune-based intervention strategies over conventional chemotherapy.

In this report, we present a case of advanced CCA that underwent palliative surgery followed by combined immunotherapy. Surprisingly, differences in treatment responses were observed between intrahepatic metastases and those having extrahepatic epigastric metastases were observed. To the best of our knowledge, this phenomenon has not been previously reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 79-year-old male presented to our outpatient clinic for cutaneous scleral jaundice.

History of present illness

Over the past two weeks, the patient experienced a weight loss of 3 kg. He reported no fever or abdominal pain.

History of past illness

Three years ago, the patient underwent “atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation” for “atrial fibrillation”.

Personal and family history

The patient had no relevant family medical history.

Physical examination

The patient had cutaneous scleral jaundice, and no other abnormalities were observed.

Laboratory examinations

The laboratory workup showed the following results: Total bilirubin, 271.8 μmol/L (reference range, 3.2-23.5 μmol/L); aspartate aminotransferase, 277 U/L (reference range, 15-40 U/L); alanine aminotransferase, 535 U/L (reference range, 9-50 U/L); albumin, 35 g/L (reference range, 40-55 g/L); and glycoprotein, 19-9 102 U/mL (reference range, 0-39 U/L).

Imaging examinations

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hepatobiliary system revealed a carcinoma measuring 1.1 cm in the middle and lower bile duct, with an unclear boundary, a high diffusion-weighted imaging signal, moderately heterogeneous enhancement, and the presence of an enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node in group 13 measuring 1.5 cm (Figure 1). This presentation led to the consideration of CCA with lymph node metastasis. Preoperative examination suggested a tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) > 1000 U/mL. Following a multidisciplinary discussion, the patient received palliative surgery involving laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy for CCA on August 13, 2021.

Figure 1 The first admission was hepatobiliary enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. A: Sagittal images shows carcinoma in the middle and lower segment of the common bile duct (orange arrow); B: Diffusion-weighted imaging images shows carcinoma size of 1.1 cm (orange circle); C: Retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes size of 1.5 cm (orange circle).

On January 6, 2022, approximately five months after surgical treatment, a mass was identified in the right epigastric region. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a carcinoma measuring 1.1 cm in diameter in the middle and lower bile duct, along with a retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node measuring 1.3 cm, exhibiting minimal change compared to previous measurements. However, new intrahepatic metastases were identified, including a metastatic carcinoma measuring 0.5 cm × 0.4 cm in the left lateral lobe of the liver and another measuring 1.3 cm × 1.2 cm in the fifth segment of the right lobe of the liver. Furthermore, metastasis in the right epigastric subcutaneous fat layer metastases measuring 2.0 cm × 1.9 cm was also observed (Figure 2). A needle biopsy confirmed that the right epigastric metastasis was infiltrative adenocarcinoma consistent with metastatic CCA (Figure 3). The patient declined the administration of gemcitabine plus cisplatin.

Figure 2 Baseline hepatobiliary enhanced magnetic resonance imaging before targeted immunotherapy. A: Right epigastric metastases size of 2 cm × 1.9 cm (orange circle); B: Liver metastases in S5 segment size of 1.3 cm × 1.2 cm (blue circle); C: Left lateral lobe of the livermetastasis size of 0.5 cm × 0.4 cm (blue circle); D: Carcinoma in the middle and lower segment of the common bile duct size of 1.1 cm (orange circle); E: Retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes size of 1.3 cm (orange circle).

Figure 3 Pathological report adenocarcinoma infiltrates hepatic encephalopathy (200 ×).

On January 31, 2022 (six months postoperatively), the patient initiated the first cycle of combined immunotherapy, receiving oral lenvatinib at a dosage of 8 mg once daily and intravenous sintilimab at a dosage of 200 mg every three weeks. The patient completed two treatment cycles. Following the second cycle, a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan on March 15, 2022, revealed a carcinoma measuring 1.1 cm in the bile duct and a retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node measuring 1.3 cm in size. Notably, the right epigastric metastases significantly reduced in size to 0.4 cm × 0.5 cm. However, the intrahepatic metastases displayed an increase in size compared to previous measurements, with metastatic carcinoma in the left lateral lobe of the liver measuring 0.9 cm × 0.9 cm and the other measuring 1.8 cm × 1.7 cm in the fifth segment of the right lobe of the liver (Figure 4). CA19-9 decreased to 105.5 U/mL after targeted immunotherapy. We recommended interventional therapy to control the progression of intrahepatic metastases, but the patient declined and opted to suspend the abovementioned treatments.

Figure 4 Hepatobiliary enhanced magnetic resonance imaging after two cycles of targeted immunotherapy. A: Right epigastric metastases size of 0.4 cm × 0.5 cm (orange circle); B: Liver metastases in S5 segment size of 1.8 cm × 1.7 cm (blue circle); C: Left lateral lobe of the livermetastasis size of 0.9 cm × 0.9 cm (blue circle); D: Carcinoma in the middle and lower segment of the common bile duct size of 1.1 cm (orange circle); E: Retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes size of 1.3 cm (orange circle).

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

On August 8, 2021, the patient was diagnosed with distal CCA (T3N1M0).

TREATMENT

On January 31, 2022 (six months postoperatively), the patient initiated the first cycle of combined immunotherapy, receiving oral lenvatinib at a dosage of 8 mg once daily and intravenous sintilimab at a dosage of 200 mg every three weeks. The patient completed two treatment cycles.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

Unfortunately, the patient passed away six months after commencing combined targeted immunotherapy. To assess the therapeutic progress, a comparison was made with the initial. Various aspects were evaluated, including the primary lesions, retroperitoneal lymph node metastases, epigastric metastases, and intrahepatic metastases. The post-immunotherapy assessments adhered to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The patient’s treatment process is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Timeline of the case report. CT: Computed tomography.

DISCUSSION

CCAs represent a heterogeneous group of malignancies originating from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts, manifesting as solid tumors that can occur anywhere along the biliary tree, including intrahepatic CCA and extrahepatic CCA. These cancers are characterized by their aggressive biological behavior, often remain latent until reaching advanced stages, and are associated with a high postoperative recurrence rate of up to 67%, a 5-year survival rate of below 5%, even after surgical intervention[5,6]. Currently, the primary therapeutic approach for metastatic or recurrent CCA involves the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin[7]. However, CCA exhibits limited sensitivity to chemotherapy, resulting in a median survival of only 6 to 8 mo[8]. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative treatments to improve patient survival rates and enhance their quality of life.

In recent years, the field of oncology and immunology has witnessed significant advancements, particularly in the realm of immunotherapy, which has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating solid tumors. Multiple studies have suggested a close association between CCA and chronic inflammation, as well as the tumor immune microenvironment[5]. The presence of specific immune cells typed within the tumor milieu significantly influences therapeutic response and overall prognosis. For instance, Marks and Yee[9] reported that 70% to 87% of CCA cases exhibit macrophage infiltration, resulting in the release of proinflammatory and angiogenic factors that facilitate tumor growth. Conversely, a predominance of intratumoral lymphocyte infiltration, such as increased CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, is indicative of a more favorable prognosis[10].

In our case, the emergence of intrahepatic metastases and epigastric metastases occurred five months after the patient underwent palliative surgery for CCA. Although lenvatinib plus sintilimab is typically prioritized as an anti-tumor treatment option, it is important to note that lenvatinib is a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) focused on inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors[11]. Many studies have revealed that lenvatinib enhances the anti-tumor activity of T lymphocytes within the tumor immune microenvironment, primarily through its anti-angiogenic properties, thereby augmenting the effectiveness of programmed cell death-1(PD-1) blockade such as sintilimab[12-14]. For example, Kato et al[15] explored the immunomodulatory effects of lenvatinib during the anti-tumor process and uncovered its ability to increase the proportion of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. It achieved this by reducing tumor-associated macrophages and increasing the percentage of activated CD8⁺ T cells that secrete interferon-γ + and granzyme B, ultimately triggering the host immune response against tumor cells. Additionally, Okazaki et al[16] highlighted that although lenvatinib plays a vital role in controlling tumor cells, the immune escape mechanisms of tumor cells pose significant risks for tumor recurrence. These mechanisms involve inadequate numbers of effective CD8⁺ T cells or the failure of CD8⁺ T cells to recognize tumor antigens. The PD-1 signaling pathway is a key regulator of CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion. However, using PD-1 blockade alone in patients with solid cancer yields an overall response rate of only around 20% to 30%[17-19]. Chen et al[20] suggested that the combination of lenvatinib plus PD-1 blocker in the treatment of unresectable CCA achieved an objective response rate of 42.1%, with a median survival time of 17.7 mo. The growing body of evidence supports this approach as a promising treatment option[21,22]. This perspective greatly influenced our decision to administer lenvatinib combined with sintilimab to our patient.

After two cycles of treatment, a positive therapeutic effect was evident. The primary bile duct carcinoma and retroperitoneal metastatic lymph nodes achieved stable disease as per RECIST 1.1. Notably, there was a significant decrease in the size of the epigastric metastasis, resulting in a complete response where the lesions shrank to less than 1 cm in the short axis. These favorable treatment outcomes were observed. However, it was surprising to note that the intrahepatic metastases exhibited progressive disease. The subsequent CT scan conducted after treatment revealed an increase in size from 1.3 cm × 1.2 cm to 1.8 cm × 1.7 cm in the metastases within the liver’s fifth segment, and from 0.5 cm × 0.4 cm to 0.9 cm × 0.9 cm in metastases within the left lateral lobe. The inconsistent responses observed in different metastatic tumor sites to the same treatment regimen warrant further analysis. Upon a thorough review of the relevant literature, previous studies have consistently highlighted significant differences in the tumor immune microenvironments between intrahepatic and extrahepatic tumors[23]. The liver exhibits characteristics of immune tolerance[24], rendering it largely unresponsive to most antigens. As a result, the immune microenvironment in the liver, where the tumor resides, tends to be suppressed. This state inhibits immune cells from effectively recognizing tumor cells or results in an insufficient activation of immune cells, ultimately facilitating immune evasion by liver tumors and allowing for their continued progression. Lu et al[25] elaborated on the suppressive state of the immune microenvironment in CCA. In contrast, the immune microenvironment in extrahepatic tumors may lean toward an immune-activated state, rendering them more susceptible to attack by activated immune cells and the anti-angiogenesis effects of targeted immune drugs. This dynamic can ultimately lead to tumor regression. Lu et al[25] also underscored the notable resistance of CCA cells and the broader overall liver microenvironment to immunotherapies that demonstrate efficacy in other cancer sites, thereby necessitating the use of treatment combinations. Lenvatinib can inhibit tumor angiogenesis by targeting VEGF and FGF to exert anti-tumor effects[26]. Sintilimab, an immunoglobulin G4 immunoglobulin that binds to PD-1, acts as an ICI by selectively blocking the interaction between PD-1 expressed on activated T cells and its ligands, PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) or PD-1 ligand 2, expressed on immune cells and tumor cells. In studies involving CCA samples, PD-L1 expression was found to range from 9% to 72%, and from 46% to 63% in extrahepatic metastases[27-29]. Haffner found that although PD-L1 expression was rare in primary tumors, it exhibited increased rates in metastatic tumors[30]. Kim et al[31] found that positive expression of PD-L1 expression in tumors was associated with significantly prolonged progression-free survival. This variability may elucidate the disparate responses of intrahepatic and extrahepatic tumors to targeted immunotherapy in the current case, potentially stemming from differences in the expression rates of molecular targets between the primary and metastatic tumors. However, further investigation, including molecular profiling and immune checkpoint molecule detection, is warranted for definitive confirmation. Unfortunately, the patient declined these tests due to financial constraints.

In this case, we have gained valuable insights into the use of TKI drugs combined with ICIs for the treatment of advanced CCA. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on exploring molecular profiling and tumor microenvironment research in similar cases. This will enhance our understanding of the immune evasion observed in intrahepatic metastases, enable us to identify more appropriate targeted immunotherapeutic drugs, overcome the barriers in the intrahepatic microenvironment, and ultimately achieve enhanced anti-tumor efficacy. Additionally, in cases where immune therapy fails to yield the expected results, more direct invasive approaches, such as transcatheter hepatic artery embolization or radiofrequency ablation, may be considered for treating intrahepatic tumors.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the use of lenvatinib plus sintilimab for the treatment of advanced CCA has yielded inconsistent responses across different metastatic tumor sites. The prospects of refining the treatment response lie in the potential adjustments to the drug regimen through molecular profiling and in-depth analysis of the tumor microenvironment.