title: Advances in Small Cell Lung Cancer.
abstract: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor characterized by early metastatic spread and responsiveness to initial therapy. The incidence of SCLC has been declining in the United States in parallel with the decreasing prevalence of cigarette smoking. Limited stage disease is potentially curable with chemoradiotherapy followed by cranial irradiation. Extensive stage disease is incurable, but systemic chemotherapy can improve quality of life and prolong survival. Nearly all patients relapse with chemoresistant disease. Molecularly targeted therapy has failed to yield convincing clinical benefits. Nevertheless, many biologically rational strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibition, show promise in ongoing clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, C350 Med Inn-SPC 5848, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5848, USA. Electronic address: kalemker@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kalemkerian
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, C411 Med Inn-SPC 5848, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5848, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011788:Quality of Life; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: Chemotherapy; Genomics; Immunotherapy; Lung cancer; Radiation therapy; Small cell; Targeted therapy