A case of metastatic NUT carcinoma with prolonged response on gemcitabine and nab‐paclitaxel

BACKGROUND: NUT carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy characterized by translocations in the NUTM1 gene. There are currently no consensus treatment recommendations for NUT carcinomas. METHODS: Here, we describe the case of a previously healthy male diagnosed with NUT carcinoma after presenting with sinus pressure, found to have a sinonasal mass and distant metastatic disease in the lungs. While pathologic evaluation and immunohistochemistry were consistent with NUT carcinoma, initial genomic profiling did not demonstrate a NUTM1 translocation. RESULTS: Whole transcriptomic RNA sequencing of the tumor revealed a YAP1‐NUTM1 fusion. Based on an in vitro drug sensitivity screen, the patient was treated with gemcitabine and nab‐paclitaxel, achieving a partial response that persisted for 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unbiased transcriptomic sequencing may identify previously uncharacterized NUTM1 fusion partners. Gemcitabine and nab‐paclitaxel is a well‐tolerated combination chemotherapy regimen and could offer a novel treatment approach for NUT carcinoma.