Successful treatment of stage IIIB intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using neoadjuvant therapy with the PD-1 inhibitor camrelizumab: A case report

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with lymph node metastasis is poor. The feasibility of surgery is not certain, which is a contraindication according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. The role of immunotherapy as a neoadjuvant therapy for ICC is not clear. We herein describe a case of ICC with lymph node metastasis that was successfully treated with neoadjuvant therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 60-year-old man with a liver tumor was admitted to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a space-occupying lesion in the right lobe of the liver. Multiple subfoci were found around the tumor, and the right posterior branch of the portal vein was invaded. Liver biopsy indicated poorly differentiated cholangiocytes. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer disease stage classification, ICC with hilar lymph node metastasis (stage IIIB) and para-aortic lymph node metastasis was suspected. A report showed that two patients with stage IIIB ICC achieved a complete response (CR) 13 mo and 16 mo after chemotherapy with a PD-1 monoclonal antibody. After multidisciplinary consultation, the patient was given neoadjuvant therapy, surgical resection and lymph node dissection, and postoperative adjuvant therapy. After three rounds of PD-1 immunotherapy (camrelizumab) and two rounds of gemcitabine combined with cisplatin regimen chemotherapy, the tumor size was reduced. Therefore, a partial response was achieved. Exploratory laparotomy found that the lymph nodes of Group 16 were negative, and the tumor could be surgically removed. Therefore, the patient underwent right hemihepatectomy plus lymph node dissection. The patient received six rounds of chemotherapy and five rounds of PD-1 treatment postoperatively. After 8 mo of follow-up, no recurrence was found, and a CR was achieved. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgical resection is useful for advanced-stage ICC. This is the first report of successful treatment of stage IIIB ICC using neoadjuvant therapy with a PD-1 inhibitor.