Novel approaches for the treatment of small cell lung cancer

SCLC is an aggressive disease that is rapidly fatal in most patients. Novel therapies based on SCLC biology are an attractive approach to augment current regimens. Several agents that attack a variety of targets from within the tumor cell, the extracellular matrix, and the immune system are under investigation. Although the efficacy results have been mixed, these agents are well tolerated. We look forward to the continued evaluation of promising novel agents alone and in combination with chemotherapy, radiation, and other biologic agents.