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Abughanimeh et al. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2020;6:50 Journal of Cancer
DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2020.110 Metastasis and Treatment

Review Open Access

Current updates in management of relapsed/
refractory small cell lung cancer

Omar Abughanimeh , Vinicius Ernani , Alissa Marr , Apar Kishor Ganti 1,2
1
1
1
1 Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center-Fred & Pamela
Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6840, USA.
2 Division of Oncology and Hematology, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68198-6840,USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. Omar Abughanimeh, Division of Oncology and Hematology, University of Nebraska Medical Center-
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, 986840 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6840, USA.
E-mail: omar.abughanimeh@unmc.edu

How to cite this article: Abughanimeh O, Ernani V, Marr A, Ganti AK. Current updates in management of relapsed/refractory
small cell lung cancer. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2020;6:50. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2020.110

Received: 4 Oct 2020 First Decision: 12 Nov 2020 Revised: 23 Nov 2020 Accepted: 3 Dec 2020 Published: 18 Dec 2020
Academic Editor: Robert Kratzke Copy Editor: Monica Wang Production Editor: Jing Yu

Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive subtype of neuroendocrine tumor. It is characterized by a rapid
doubling time and early development of metastatic disease. Despite being responsive to initial chemotherapy,
most of the patients will have relapse of the disease within a few months. The prognosis of SCLC is dismal
with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. For that reason, management of SCLC has been an active area of
research. The utilization of immunotherapy has provided promising results in treatment of SCLC in the front-line
setting. Therefore, utilization of immunotherapy and targeted therapy is being studied in the setting of relapsed/
refractory disease, and currently, different clinical trials are exploring new drugs and further options. In this
review, we will explore the latest updates in management of relapsed/refractory SCLC.

Keywords: Small cell lung cancer, relapsed small cell lung cancer, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy

INTRODUCTION
Lung cancer is a major public health concern. In 2020, it is estimated that the United States (US) will have
more than 200,000 new cases, making lung cancer the second most common malignancy and leading in
cancer-related mortality in both genders . Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for ≈ 20% of the total
[1]
[2]
[3]
lung cancer cases globally . In the US, SCLC accounts for 16% of new lung cancer cases . SCLC is divided
© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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