Review: Targeted therapies in small cell lung cancer: a review

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer that is characterized by a rapid doubling time, early onset of dissemination and high sensitivity to chemotherapy. Despite the potential for cure in patients with limited disease with concurrent chemoradiation and an initial good response to chemotherapy in extensive disease, there is a high chance of disease relapse with an overall poor median survival for both stages. With increasing translational research and a better understanding of the molecular basis of cancer, a number of molecular targets have been identified in various preclinical studies. This review summarizes potentially viable targets and new agents that have been developed and employed in recent, ongoing and future clinical trials to attempt to improve clinical outcomes in this disease.

Treatment of limited small cell lung cancer: an old or new challenge?

“…The ongoing CONVERT and US Intergroup trials have been designed to address these questions although the declining incidence of SCLC, frequency of comorbidities in this population and urgency required to treat, plus the complexity of conducting multicentre CTRT trials are potential barriers to rapid accrual. Experience with targeted agents has also, to date, been disappointing although various targets and agents remain to be explored [41]. Unexpected and/or unacceptable toxicities have been encountered and reinforce that early phase trials of targeted agents combined with radiotherapy should ensure sufficient time to elapse (at least 3 months) to allow for acute radiation related toxicities to develop, and should also maintain long-term follow-up to collect late toxicity data.…”

PIK3CA Mutations in Resected Small Cell Lung Cancer

“…These tumors are combined with an additional component that consists of any of the histological types of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), usually squamous cell carcinoma (Sq), adenocarcinoma (Ad) or large cell carcinoma. Despite advances in chemotherapy and radiotherapy in recent decades, the prognosis of SCLC patients is still poor, with a median survival under two years [22].…”

Missing the Target?—Targeted Therapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer

“…Early phase studies suggest some benefit in a second-line treatment setting, although formal results are awaited [47]. • P53-a key gatekeeper in the cell cycle, p53 is often mutated in SCLC.…”