An EGFR T790M-mutated lung adenocarcinoma undergoing large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma transformation after osimertinib therapy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is selective for both epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor–sensitizing and T790M resistance mutations. Almost all patients who initially respond to an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor subsequently report disease progression. Epidermal growth factor receptor–dependent resistance mechanisms, bypass pathway activation, and histological transformation have been reported with osimertinib therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 64-year-old Asian man with epidermal growth factor receptor T790M-positive adenocarcinoma that transformed to epidermal growth factor receptor T790M-negative large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma after osimertinib therapy. A prompt rebiopsy revealed a rare mechanism of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and subsequently treatment with carboplatin and etoposide was effective. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the promising emergence of circulating tumoral DNA testing, this case report emphasizes the importance of rebiopsy of a progressive epidermal growth factor receptor–mutant tumor.