Innovative small cell lung cancer treatment

Small cell lung cancer is a malignant tumor. This tumor characterized by its aggressiveness and rapid growth, early formation of metastases and an unfavorable prognosis. About 15-20% of clinical cases of all types of lung cancer are small cell. This type of oncology is common among smokers, mainly in men aged 40 to 60 years. Experts still cannot name the exact causes of the disease, but they are sure that smoking is the main risk factor. Also passive smoking and large namber of smoked per day cigarettes can high the risks.

To date, active clinical trials are underway on the use of Tarlatumab (an experimental specific T-cell activator) in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. And there are already encouraging results: 40% of patients responded positively to the therapy, and the size of their tumors decreased by about 30%. The results of the second phase of the study were approved by the FDA, and the third phase is currently ongoing, in which patients are participating, including those in Israeli clinics.

Lung cancer, like any other oncopathology, can develop in two forms: local (local) and widespread. A local tumor does not extend beyond the lung, but is located in a limited area. A widespread process is said to be detected in the lungs and other organs or in several places in the lungs at the same time. A local tumor is treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A widespread tumor is treated with chemotherapy in combination with immunotherapy, which is the gold standard. The use of immune drugs can extend the life of patients from several months to several years.

Immunotherapy usually works well in the early stages of the disease. If a relapse occurs or the patient’s body is weakened by previous treatment, the benefits of available therapy methods are limited. It was with the aim of finding new treatment methods that the decision was made to conduct clinical trials of the drug Tarlatumab: in the late stages is capable to help patients.

Amazing discovery

The drug trial involved 99 patients, and the results were assessed based on those patients who had previously undergone treatment with at least two different methods. The results were impressive: 40% of patients responded positively to the drug, the size of their malignant tumors decreased by about 30%, and the duration of the response was almost 10 months, which is considered a very good indicator.

The study confirmed that Tarlatumab affects cancer cells that synthesize delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), which is rare in healthy cells, but is found in most SCLC (small cell lung cancer) cells. The results were approved by the FDA on an accelerated basis, despite the fact that the second phase was relatively short. On this basis, the study moved to the third phase, and patients from Israeli clinics can also take part in it. 

Oncology experts present at the conference where the results of the second phase were presented received hope for good results in treating patients even at late stages. The most encouraging thing was the duration of response to the therapy, which was not observed before. The method seems promising and the best option for patients who respond to the first stage of chemotherapy. The results give hope for a long-awaited breakthrough in the treatment of small cell lung cancer.