Angiosarcoma treated successfully with anti-PD-1 therapy - a case report.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single-patient case report
PubMed 28716069 · doi:10.1186/s40425-017-0263-0
What was done
A 63-year-old man with recurrent metastatic cutaneous angiosarcoma (primary tumor of the nose with progression in the face and liver despite prior surgery, nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy, and liver radioembolization) was identified as having a PD-L1-positive tumor. He was treated with off-label pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) at 2 mg/kg every 21 days for 13 cycles.
What was found
Pembrolizumab treatment resulted in marked shrinkage of liver metastases and prevented new facial lesions. The patient developed treatment-related immune hepatitis managed with a tapering course of prednisone. Across 8 months off therapy following completion of 13 cycles, the patient maintained disease control with no new or progressive lesions. Exact percentage tumor reductions were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This report provides clinical proof-of-concept that metastatic angiosarcomas expressing PD-L1 can achieve sustained responses to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade following progression on standard cytotoxic therapies.
Limits
Findings are limited to a single patient (n=1) with a specific tumor site and PD-L1 expression profile. It cannot establish efficacy, response rates, or safety across broader angiosarcoma populations. Quantitative imaging metrics were not detailed in the abstract, and immune-mediated hepatitis required systemic steroid management.
Cited by
- supports A patient named Michael with metastatic angiosarcoma achieved long-term remission (over 9 years) after off-label treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor.