Welcome to the 2025 spring edition of the newsletter from the SCLC Patient Gateway—your place for the latest research and information about small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
It has been an exciting few months with advances and new developments in the treatment of SCLC.
For many decades researchers struggled to make progress in treating small cell lung cancer. Treatment options were limited to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Now, In the past five years we’ve seen two immunotherapies, atezolizumab and durvalumab, emerge as exciting additions to treating extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC).
In 2024, tarlatamab-dlle, a new type of immunotherapy, received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ES-SCLC in patients who were previously treated with chemotherapy. Recently, the results of a larger phase 3 study (DeLLphi-304) supported the approval by demonstrating significant improvement in overall survival compared to the standard-of-care chemotherapy.
Treatment options are improving for limited-stage SCLC (LS-SCLC) as well. Durvalumab was approved by the FDA for treating LS-SCLC in 2024. This approval was based on results from the ADRIATRIC trial, which showed improved overall survival for patients with LS-SCLC when treated with durvalumab.
Basic science continues to be a key factor in making progress in treating SCLC. As researchers learn about the tumor microenvironment and other fundamentals of SCLC, their findings allow us to develop new and improved treatment options.
Because of the strong basic science foundation developed over the past several decades, the drug development pipeline is full of promising drugs—including bispecifics, cell therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—all designed to treat SCLC.
We are looking forward to seeing how these emerging treatments compare to our current options, and we are hopeful about exciting new treatments for SCLC on the horizon.
Research News
Oncology - CancerNetwork
Tarlatamab Displays Overall Survival Benefit in Relapsed SCLC
Published Apr 14, 2025
Oncology - CancerNetwork
Continued Atezolizumab Shows Durable Benefit in Pretreated ES-SCLC
Published Mar 9, 2025
OncoDaily
Triparna Sen: Lurbinectedin sensitizes PD-L1 blockade therapy in small-cell lung cancer
Published Mar 8, 2025
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Basic science and translational implications of current knowledge on neuroendocrine tumors
Published Mar 3, 2025
OncLive
Durvalumab Shifts Decades Long SOC as First FDA-Approved Immunotherapy Regimen in LS-SCLC
Published Jan 15, 2025
OncLive
Real-world comparison of the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab versus durvalumab in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Published Dec 17, 2024
FierceBiotech
BioNTech shows off lung cancer survival data behind phase 3 push for red-hot bispecific
Published Mar 28, 2025
OncLive
Oncology PER® Spectives™: Transforming Treatment in Small Cell Lung Cancer: How Recent Trials Are Shaping Treatment Decision Making and Future Therapies
Published Jan 28, 2025
Get Connected
Join Us for the SCLC Virtual Meetup
This is an easy way to build your community. On the third Wednesday of each month, you can connect with others who understand what it’s like to live with SCLC. The next SCLC Meetup is happening on May 21, 2025, at 3 pm ET. Register for free to get a confirmation email with details about how to join the virtual meeting. New attendees are always welcome and encouraged to join!
Can’t make it? Don’t worry, there’s a full list of virtual meetups to fit your schedule.
Have You Seen?
Small Cell Smashers Fireside Chats
Don’t miss this webinar series! Each month, the Small Cell Smashers patient group and LUNGevity come together to highlight the latest discoveries and breakthroughs in SCLC. The recorded webinar featuring our April expert — Dr. Carl Gay, a physician-scientist with a focus on SCLC at MD Anderson Cancer Center — is ready for you to watch.
5 Takeaways From the 2025 SCLC Hot Topics Meeting
A science expert from LUNGevity offers key takeaways from a recent scientific conference dedicated to the improving the lives of people diagnosed with SCLC. Don’t miss these highlights about exciting progress in the field. Learn more.
Integrative Oncology and Lung Cancer: Adding Complementary Therapy
Does aromatherapy actually work? Can regular yoga practice be done during lung cancer treatment? The answers to these questions (and more) are being studied by lung cancer experts. Integrative oncology is about how to safely incorporate nutritional supplements and other complementary therapy into your treatment plan. Learn more.
Staying Safe From Smoke, Pollution, and Dangerous Air Quality
Angela Hopper is a lung cancer survivor and an air quality expert who shares useful tips on navigating poor air quality. Learn more.
… and there is always so much more to explore on the SCLC Patient Gateway.
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If you need further assistance along your lung cancer journey, please email us at support@lungevity.org. Our team is always here to assist you.
