Chance to rein in a cancer--Spontaneous regression of lung carcinoma (1988-2018): a 30-year perspective.

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous regression of tumor is an extremely rare phenomenon in the oncology field and even rarer for lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Summarizing the available clinical information and the supposed mechanism shed new light on lung cancer therapy strategies in the new era of immunotherapy.

SUMMARY

We conducted a PubMed search using the retrieval tactics ("Lung Neoplasms" [Mesh]) AND "Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous" [Mesh] for reports from 1988 to January 2018, and all references in the relevant literature were subsequently investigated for relevance. Using the criteria of Everson and Cole, 14 cases were finally defined as spontaneous regression and were reviewed in the research. Key messages: The information regarding patient characteristics, treatments, and follow-up has been summarized. In this review, we found that spontaneous lung cancer regression cases fall into two categories including: (1) neurologic disorders in 6 cases, half of whom suffered with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) and (2) immunological reactions in 7 cases. Getting data on more spontaneous regression cases and more detailed information will definitely help us understand the mechanism for the body's surveillance system-cancer balance, creating a big chance to increase cancer immunotherapy.