Successful Treatment of an Aggressive Tracheal Malignancy With Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are emerging as therapeutic options for oncology patients in whom conventional treatment regimens have failed. These immunotherapies counteract tumor-induced tolerance and have been shown to be effective in thoracic malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This report highlights the successful use of nivolumab—an immunotherapeutic agent that binds to proteins involved in T-cell proliferation—for the management of recurrent tracheal squamous cell cancer after exhaustion of conventional surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation therapy options. Observations provide a strong indication of the potential value of checkpoint inhibitors for managing a wide array of thoracic malignancies.