Molecular heterogeneity of small cell lung cancer and new therapeutic possibilities: a narrative review of the literature.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease commonly occurring in individuals with a history of heavy smoking. Despite recent approvals of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in the first-line treatment of extensive-stage SCLC, it maintains a poor prognosis. Moreover, only a small percentage of patients benefits from the addition of immunotherapy to platinum-based chemotherapy. The lack of significant progress in therapeutic options unrevealed the urgent need for a deeper understanding of tumor biology and easy-to-use predictive biomarkers, aiming to better tailor the treatment strategy. The aim of this review is to summarize recent evidence about the biology, molecular heterogeneity, as well as tumor microenvironment (TME) of SCLC and their forefront

SUBMITTER: Cognigni V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12082233 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature