Investigation of new agents in small-cell lung cancer.
The identification of new agents active against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains a high priority for clinical investigators. Recently, 2 very different approaches have been used to evaluate new agents in this disease. Some groups have opted to test new agents in previously untreated patients with extensive-stage SCLC, and the second approach is to continue to test new agents only in previously treated patients. Regardless of which method is used, it appears that new-agent activity can be assessed in either previously treated or untreated SCLC patients without compromising the therapeutic gains of the past 2 decades, provided proper patient selection guidelines are employed.
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn.
D H
DH
Johnson
D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012107:Research Design