Novel approaches to the treatment of small-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by its initial responsiveness to chemotherapy and the appearance of early metastases. Although combination chemotherapy, in some instances together with radiation, has improved the prognosis of this disease, in most patients SCLC ultimately recurs in a drug-resistant form. Several new strategies for the eradication of SCLC are being explored at the preclinical level. The identification of selective target molecules on the surface of SCLC cells, together with the progress made in antibody engineering, have provided new generations of antibodies and immunoconjugates as well as growth factor antagonists and inhibitors. In addition, recent advances in understanding the biology of SCLC have stimulated new investigations searching to counter the molecular basis underlying the increased proliferation and the apoptosis deficiency of SCLC cells. This can be achieved using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides that repress the expression of growth factor receptors and anti-apoptosis genes, or by gene replacement to compensate for the loss or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes.

Bioengineering functional copolymers. XIV. Synthesis and interaction of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-alt-maleic anhydride)s with SCLC cancer cells

“…Most of the remaining cases are classified as small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). 42,43 Zangemeister-Wittke et al 44 reported that the most prominent advances in the treatment of SCLC, provided by preclinical and clinical studies during the last decade, that require further investigation are; (i) recent improvements in chemo-and radiation therapy; (ii) advances in targeting cell surface antigens, autocrine growth factors and their receptors, and modulators of drug resistance; (iii) advances in targeting the molecular basis of increased proliferation and apoptosis deficiency of tumor cells, such as the use of bcl-2antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or the replacement of inactivated or lost tumor suppressor genes. Miller et al 45 showed that local therapy, either surgery or radiation alone, had no significant impact on the survival of SCLC patients.…”

Growth Impairment of Small-Cell Cancer by Targeting Pro-Vasopressin with MAG-1 Antibody

“…Present treatments of SCLC generally involve high-dose combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy (1–11). Although there is a high initial response rate to these treatments, and long-term survival in up to 10% of all cases (8, 9, 11), average life expectancy is increased by only 8–15 months. While about 80% of these newly diagnosed SCLC patients respond to chemotherapy, remission generally lasts only 3–6 months.…”

NMDA receptors are expressed by small-cell lung cancer and are potential targets for effective treatment

“…Present treatments for patients with SCLC generally involve them having high-dose combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. 1 – 6 Although there is a high initial response rate to these treatments, and long-term survival in up to 10% of all cases, 1 , 6 – 10 average life expectancy is increased by only 8–15 months. While about 80% of these newly diagnosed SCLC patients respond to chemotherapy, remission generally lasts only 3–6 months.…”