The New Age of Small Cell Lung Cancer - 08/15/23 - Lung Cancer Living Room

"There are more drugs in development now for small cell lung cancer than the culmination of all prior studies for small cell." - Dr. Jacob Sands

In this episode of the Lung Cancer Living Room, Danielle Hicks, Chief Patient Officer at GO2, leads a conversation with Dr. Jacob Sands, a physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, on new developments in small cell lung cancer research and the dynamic of patient-physician communications.

Dr. Sands delves deep into the staging and treatment options for small cell lung cancer, specifically discussing the different therapies recommended for limited and extensive stage diseases. He highlights the promising observation that some individuals with Stage IV disease have been cured using a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The conversation also covers the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation in treating microscopic tumors in the brain and compares its outcomes with MRI observation followed by irradiation when tumors are detected. Dr. Sands goes on to discuss the progression of non-small into small cell lung cancer, and the panel addresses common misconceptions about supportive or palliative care and its positive impact on treatment outcomes.

The importance of discussing side effects with physicians to better mitigate issues and improve long-term outcomes is emphasized. The discussion also includes recent research on tarlatamab, a novel therapy that uses DLL3 to bind cancer cells with immune cells, and the development of antibody-drug conjugates as targeted chemotherapy. The panel also explores ongoing efforts to subtype small cell lung cancer into four broad categories to tailor treatment more effectively.

Dr. Sands underscores the importance of considering clinical trials for second-line treatment, given the urgency of first-line treatment in small cell lung cancer. He concludes the episode by offering observations, encouragement, and non-clinical advice for individuals living with small cell lung cancer. This video is a must-watch for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of small cell lung cancer treatment options, recent research developments, and the importance of supportive care and clinical trials in managing this disease.