Therapy for small cell lung cancer:review and prospect / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is regarded as one of the most chemotherapy and radiotherapy sensitive malignant solid tumors.With regimens based on platinum-etoposide,which is still the standard of first-line treatment in extensive-stage SCLC,objective responses are seen in 50% to 70% of cases.With combined chemoradiotherapy,the probability of attaining a complete response increases to 40% to 50%.The majority of patients with SCLC will eventually develop a tumor relapse.For the patients with relapse,so far only single-agent topotecan represents a most effective therapeutic option.Integration of chest radiotherapy with standard chemotherapy,optimization of timing and fractionation of radiation therapy,and the introduction of prophylactic cranial radiation have led to an obvious improvement in 3-year survival.