Breakthrough expected in translational research of targeted therapy for small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounted for 12-15% of the 213,380 lung cancer cases and 160,390 deaths newly reported in the U.S. in 2010 (1). SCLC is a highly aggressive disease characterized by rapid multiplication, high growth fractions, early dissemination and metastasis, and high sensitivity to first-line chemotherapy and radiotherapy. About 60-70% of the patients are not diagnosed until extensive-stage disease (ED) (2).