[What are the questions concerning small cell lung cancer? How should research be orientated?].
Spectacular therapeutic progress for small cell lung cancer was obtained some thirty years ago with the introduction of polychemotherapy. Since when, except that which concerns radio-chemotherapy in the limited forms, the development of treatments has been relatively poor. Based on the analysis of published literature, the aim of this review is to discuss the research routes. The problems can be summarised in eleven principle axes: identification of new active drugs, development of new combinations with new chemotherapeutic agents, the place of analogs, the role of thoracic surgery, optimal radio-chemotherapeutic regimens, intensity of chemotherapy, the place of haematological growth factors, the duration of chemotherapy and maintenance treatments, biological treatments, prevention and treatment of cerebral metastases and salvage chemotherapy.
Sculier
J-P
JP
Service des soins intensifs & Oncologie thoracique, Institut Jules-Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1, rue Héger-Bordet, B-1000 Bruxelles, Belgique. sculier@bordet.be
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*