2025emaApproval — Serplulimab· Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Hetronifly in combination with carboplatin and etoposide is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adult patients with extensive‑stage small cell lung cancer (ES‑SCLC). Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) Hetronifly in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult non-squamous NSCLC patients with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 positive mutations and who have: locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for surgery or radiotherapy, or metastatic NSCLC. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Hetronifly in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma whose tumours express PD-L1 with a CPS ≥ 5. source ↗

2023emaApproval — Tislelizumab· Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence (for selection criteria, see section 5.1).Tevimbra in combination with pemetrexed and platinum containing chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with non-squamous NSCLC  whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥50% of tumour cells with no EGFR or ALK positive mutations and who have: locally advanced NSCLC and are not candidates for surgical resection or platinum-based chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Tevimbra in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with squamous NSCLC who have: locally advanced NSCLC and are not candidates for surgical resection or platinum-based chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Tevimbra as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior platinum-based therapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving tislelizumab. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Tevimbra, in combination with etoposide and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage SCLC. Gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinomaTevimbra, in combination with platinum and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with HER-2-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumours express PD L1 with a tumour area positivity (TAP) score ≥ 5% (see section 5.1).Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic OSCC whose tumours express PD L1 with a TAP score ≥ 5% (see section 5.1).Tevimbra as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic OSCC after prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)Tevimbra, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with recurrent, not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy, or metastatic NPC. source ↗

2023emaApproval — Tremelimumab· Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Imjudo in combination with durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. source ↗

2019emaApproval — Cemiplimab· Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mCSCC or laCSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with CSCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation (see section 5.1 for selection criteria).  Basal Cell Carcinoma Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (laBCC or mBCC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI). Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1 (in ? 50% tumour cells), with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations, who have: locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Libtayo in combination with platinum?based chemotherapy is indicated for the first?line treatment of adult patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 (in ? 1% of tumour cells), with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations, who have: locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC. Cervical Cancer Libtayo as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. source ↗

2018emaApproval — Durvalumab· Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable NSCLC at high risk of recurrence and no EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements (for selection criteria, see section 5.1). Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced, unresectable non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 on ≥ 1% of tumour cells and whose disease has not progressed following platinum based chemoradiation therapy (see section 5.1).Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab and platinum-based chemotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitising EGFR mutations or ALK positive mutations. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)Imfinzi in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC)Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)Imfinzi as monotherapy is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).  Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Endometrial Cancer Imfinzi in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of adults with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who are candidates for systemic therapy, followed by maintenance treatment with: - Imfinzi as monotherapy in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) - Imfinzi in combination with olaparib in endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) Imfinzi in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by Imfinzi as monotherapy adjuvant treatment after radical cystectomy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Gastric or Gastro-oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJC) Imfinzi in combination with FLOT chemotherapy as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment, followed by adjuvant Imfinzi monotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable gastric or gastro‑oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. source ↗

2017emaApproval — Atezolizumab· Urothelial carcinoma Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC): after prior platinum containing chemotherapy, or who are considered cisplatin ineligible, and whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 5% (see section 5.1). Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated as adjuvant treatment following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with NSCLC with a high risk of recurrence whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥ 50% of tumour cells (TC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1 for selection criteria). Advanced NSCLC  Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC, Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated only after failure of appropriate targeted therapies (see section 5.1).Tecentriq, in combination with nab paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 50% tumour cells (TC) or ≥ 10% tumour-infiltrating immune cells (IC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC who are ineligible for platinum-based therapy (see section 5.1 for selection criteria).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving Tecentriq (see section 5.1).Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)Tecentriq, in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) (see section 5.1). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)Tecentriq in combination with nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.Hepatocellular carcinomaTecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have not received prior systemic therapy (see section 5.1). Urothelial carcinoma (UC) Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC: after prior platinum containing chemotherapy, or who are considered cisplatin ineligible, and whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 5% (see section 5.1). Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated as adjuvant treatment following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with NSCLC with a high risk of recurrence whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥ 50% of tumour cells (TC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1 for selection criteria). Advanced NSCLC  Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. In patients with EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC, Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated only after failure of appropriate targeted therapies (see section 5.1).Tecentriq, in combination with nab paclitaxel and carboplatin, is indicated for the first line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumours have a PD-L1 expression ≥ 50% TC or ≥ 10% tumour-infiltrating immune cells (IC) and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC (see section 5.1).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC who are ineligible for platinum-based therapy (see section 5.1 for selection criteria).Tecentriq as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR mutant or ALK positive NSCLC should also have received targeted therapies before receiving Tecentriq (see section 5.1).Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Tecentriq, in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) (see section 5.1). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)Tecentriq in combination with nab-paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC whose tumours have PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Tecentriq, in combination with bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable HCC who have not received prior systemic therapy (see section 5.1). source ↗

2015emaApproval — Pembrolizumab· Melanoma Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with Stage IIB, IIC, or with Stage III melanoma and lymph node involvement who have undergone complete resection. Non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) Keytruda, in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of resectable non small cell lung carcinoma at high risk of recurrence in adults Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with non-small cell lung carcinoma who are at high risk of recurrence following complete resection and platinum based chemotherapy (for selection criteria, see section 5.1). Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the first line treatment of metastatic non small cell lung carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a ≥ 50% tumour proportion score (TPS) with no EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations. Keytruda, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of metastatic non squamous non small cell lung carcinoma in adults whose tumours have no EGFR or ALK positive mutations. Keytruda, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab paclitaxel, is indicated for the first line treatment of metastatic squamous non small cell lung carcinoma in adults. Keytruda  as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non small cell lung carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a ≥ 1% TPS and who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Patients with EGFR or ALK positive tumour mutations should also have received targeted therapy before receiving KEYTRUDA. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) Keytruda, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first‑line treatment of adults with unresectable non-epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult and paediatric patients aged 3 years and older with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma who have failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT is not a treatment option. Urothelial carcinoma Keytruda, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, as neoadjuvant treatment and then continued after radical cystectomy as adjuvant treatment, is indicated for the treatment of adults with resectable muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are ineligible for cisplatin‑containing chemotherapy. Keytruda, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults who have received prior platinum containing chemotherapy.Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in adults who are not eligible for cisplatin containing chemotherapy and whose tumours express PD L1 with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 10. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as neoadjuvant treatment, continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with radiation therapy with or without concomitant cisplatin and then as monotherapy in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Keytruda, as monotherapy or in combination with platinum and 5 fluorouracil (5 FU) chemotherapy, is indicated for the first line treatment of metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a ? 50% TPS and progressing on or after platinum containing chemotherapy. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Keytruda, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in adults. Keytruda, in combination with lenvatinib, is indicated for the first line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in adults. Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions (for selection criteria, please see section 5.1). Microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) cancers Colorectal cancer (CRC)Keytruda as monotherapy is indicated for theadults with MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer in the following settings: first line treatment of metastatic microsatellite instability high (MSI H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer in adults; treatment of unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer after previous fluoropyrimidine based combination therapy.  Non-colorectal cancersKeytruda as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of the following MSI H or dMMR tumours in adults with: advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation; unresectable or metastatic gastric, small intestine, or biliary cancer, who have disease progression on or following at least one prior therapy. Oesophageal carcinoma Keytruda, in combination with platinum and fluoropyrimidine based chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic carcinoma of the oesophagus in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 10. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery, is indicated for the treatment of adults with locally advanced, or early stage triple negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple negative breast cancer in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 10 and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Endometrial carcinoma (EC) Keytruda, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for the first-line treatment of primary advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy.  Keytruda, in combination with lenvatinib, is indicated for the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma in adults who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. Cervical cancer Keytruda, in combination with chemoradiotherapy (external beam radiation therapy followed by brachytherapy), is indicated for the treatment of FIGO 2014 Stage III - IVA locally advanced cervical cancer in adults who have not received prior definitive therapy.  Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma Keytruda, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 with a CPS ≥ 1. Keytruda, in combination with fluoropyrimidine and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD L1 with a CPS ≥ 1 (see section 5.1). Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) Keytruda, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma in adults. Ovarian Cancer Keytruda, in combination with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of platinum‑resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma in adults whose tumours express PD‑L1 with a CPS ≥ 1 and who have received one or two prior systemic treatment regimens. source ↗

2014emaApproval — Dinutuximab· Gastric cancer Cyramza in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression after prior platinum and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with disease progression after prior platinum or fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy, for whom treatment in combination with paclitaxel is not appropriate. Colorectal cancer Cyramza, in combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, folinic acid, and 5?fluorouracil), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with disease progression on or after prior therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin and a fluoropyrimidine. Non-small cell lung cancer Cyramza in combination with docetaxel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. Hepatocellular carcinoma Cyramza monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have a serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) of ? 400 ng/ml and who have been previously treated with sorafenib. source ↗

European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.

Research activity

17 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time

20182025

Most influential

First-Line Atezolizumab plus Chemotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

The New England journal of medicine · 2018 · 2,697 cites

Lung cancer immunotherapy: progress, pitfalls, and promises.

Molecular cancer · 2023 · 737 cites

Updated Overall Survival and PD-L1 Subgroup Analysis of Patients With Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Atezolizumab, Carboplatin, and Etoposide (IMpower133).

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2021 · 649 cites

Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 2.2022, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2021 · 394 cites

LSD1/KDM1A inhibitors in clinical trials: advances and prospects.

Journal of hematology & oncology · 2019 · 316 cites

Clinical insights into small cell lung cancer: Tumor heterogeneity, diagnosis, therapy, and future directions.

CA: a cancer journal for clinicians · 2023 · 299 cites

Recent publications

Small cell lung cancer induces synaptic scaling to alter neuronal excitability.

Communications biology · 2025 · 1 cites

Evolutionary trajectories of small cell lung cancer under therapy.

Nature · 2024 · 84 cites

Targeting DHX9 Triggers Tumor-Intrinsic Interferon Response and Replication Stress in Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Cancer discovery · 2024 · 75 cites

Circulating tumor DNA and radiological tumor volume identify patients at risk for relapse with resected, early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2024 · 58 cites

Serum albumin and derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are potential predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors in small cell lung cancer.

Frontiers in immunology · 2024 · 15 cites

Small Cell Lung Cancer Neuronal Features and Their Implications for Tumor Progression, Metastasis, and Therapy.

Molecular cancer research : MCR · 2024 · 9 cites

Major themes8

Lung Neoplasms14
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma14
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung5
Biomarkers, Tumor2
Circulating Tumor DNA2
Immunotherapy2
Neurons2
Antibodies, Bispecific1

Leading journals6

Frontiers in immunology2
Journal of hematology & oncology2
Nature2
Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology1
CA: a cancer journal for clinicians1
Cancer discovery1

Leading researchers8

Reck M3
Bailis JM2
Heeke S2
Horn L2
Johnson ML2
Lam S2
Liu SV2
Mansfield AS2

Affiliations (unnormalised)6

Medical University of Vienna2
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust2
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center2
Aarhus University Hospital1
Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania.1
Airway Research Center North1

Disease biology

6 matches

Key proteins & gene products studied in this disease. Number shows shared papers.

Antibodies, Bispecific2 Antibodies, Monoclonal2 Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized2 Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins2 Membrane Proteins2 Q9NZQ72

Related conditions

4 matches

Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.

Lung Neoplasms17 Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung5 Neoplasm Recurrence, Local5 Neoplasm Metastasis2

Disease profile

A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.

Overview

Small cell lung carcinoma is a highly malignant form of lung cancer composed of small ovoid cells. It is described as an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma with rapid growth, early metastasis, and poor prognosis.

Causes

The literature grounding supports a strong epidemiologic and biologic link to tobacco carcinogens. Genomic profiling also shows almost universal inactivation of TP53 and RB1 and a high mutation burden, but no single cause is established in the supplied material.

Pathophysiology

SCLC is characterized by genetic instability, rapid proliferation, and high metastatic capacity. Most tumors show neuroendocrine features, and the disease is associated with tumor heterogeneity, high mutation burden, and alterations in pathways involving TP53 and RB1; the tumor microenvironment and immune evasion are also relevant, as reflected by co-studied immunologic targets and checkpoint biology.

Risk factors

Smoking and exposure to tobacco carcinogens are the clearest risk factors supported by the grounding. The disease is also associated with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma biology, but no additional patient-level risk factors are supported here.

Current standard of care

Standard treatment is systemic therapy, most commonly platinum-etoposide chemotherapy, often combined with thoracic radiotherapy for disease confined to the chest. For extensive-stage disease, systemic therapy alone can palliate symptoms and prolong survival, and chemo-immunotherapy is part of current standard management in many patients; immunotherapy is generally described at the immune checkpoint inhibitor level.

AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 6 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.

Reference

Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.

Defined in MeSH

A form of highly malignant lung cancer that is composed of small ovoid cells (SMALL CELL CARCINOMA).

Identifiers

MeSHSmall Cell Lung Carcinoma

References & data sources

Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.