What are the commonly used drugs for treating small cell lung cancer

Due to the serious environmental pollution nowadays, the incidence of small cell lung cancer has greatly increased, so it needs drug treatment. What are the drugs for treating small cell lung cancer? Next, let us learn about the commonly used drugs for treating small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 15% to 25% of all lung cancers. Since the birth of the EP regimen, chemotherapy has progressed slowly. Regardless of the limited or extensive stage, the prognosis is extremely poor. The 5-year survival rate of limited stage (LD) SCLC is less than 10%, and the 5-year survival rate of extensive stage (ES) SCLC is negligible. The rapid progress of targeted drugs in the field of lung cancer treatment has changed the treatment model of non-small cell lung cancer. Although there is still no breakthrough in the clinical research of many targeted drugs in SCLC, they also provide us with valuable scientific information for understanding SCLC. The following will discuss the current status of SCLC targeted drug research from several signaling pathways with potential therapeutic targets involved in the growth of SCLC.

1. Anti-angiogenic signaling pathway

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is highly expressed in 80% of SCLC. Antiangiogenic drugs for SCLC may prevent the growth of micrometastases by changing the tumor microenvironment and play a role through long-term maintenance therapy.

2. Growth factor receptor inhibitors

Growth factor signaling pathway inhibitors, such as erlotinib and gefitinib, are very effective for lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR sensitive mutations. EGFR mutations are rare in SCLC patients, but in patients with complex SCLC, the literature reports that the rate ranges from 2.4% to 4%, with EXON-19Del being relatively common and sensitive to EGFR-TKI treatment, suggesting that EGFR mutation testing may be needed to guide clinical treatment for complex SCLC. There is currently no relevant clinical research data on Erbitux, a monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR, in SCLC.

3. Pro-apoptotic agents

Promoting tumor cell apoptosis may be another new treatment strategy for SCLC, mainly including BCL-2 inhibitors and histone deacetylation.

Currently, the best drug for treating small cell lung cancer is targeted drug delivery. I hope patients can learn more about it and recover their health as soon as possible.