Complete remission in an elderly patient of advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma lung with nivolumab: An exceptional case study from India

Introduction: Recent research of immunotherapy on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has initiated a change in the management of this disease with offering a potential for prolonged responses and survival. However, the treatment options for advanced stage lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remain limited. In recent times a fully human IgG4 programmed death one immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody nivolumab was approved by Drug Controller General of India to treat patients with advanced stage, relapsed or refractory lung SCC. Case Report: In this case report, we have discussed about an elderly patient of NSCLC who showed complete remission with nivolumab in short duration of treatment without any significant adverse event. To date, this is the first case of complete remission in relapsed advanced stage SCC lung with nivolumab in India and contributes to the exceptional cases of nivolumab in SCC in the world. Conclusion: This report suggests exceptional safety and efficacy of nivolumab in elderly patients with NSCLC. Further research in larger sample size in Asian countries is needed to test the safety and efficacy of nivolumab immunotherapy for elderly patients with NSCLC.