Expert Care for Small Cell Lung Cancer

New medical and technological advances are offering more options for people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the most aggressive form of lung cancer. Because SCLC can progress rapidly, it is important to seek care at a leading academic medical center like the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center that has experience treating this rare form of lung cancer.

We offer the latest FDA-approved therapies as well as many promising treatments through our extensive list of clinical trials. Our lung cancer specialists also understand the different molecular subtypes of SCLC so they can design more effective, personalized treatments for patients.

New Immunotherapy Treatments for Small Cell Lung Cancer

Promising new immunotherapy drugs called bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) are offering new hope to some patients with small cell lung cancer. One example is tarlatamab, which is approved by the FDA to treat extensive-stage small cell lung cancer that gets worse during or after chemotherapy. About 40% people with SCLC who receive the drug can expect their tumors to shrink. The intravenous (IV) drug works by engaging the body’s disease-fighting T-cells to attach to a protein called delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) located on the outside of SCLC cells.

Because tarlatamab can cause a potentially life-threatening condition called cytokine release syndrome (CRS), it is important to go to a center like UChicago Medicine that has experience preventing and managing CRS. We will admit you for your initial tarlatamab treatment so we can carefully monitor you for signs of CRS, such as fever, low blood pressure, low oxygen, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat and trouble breathing.

Clinical Trials for Small Cell Lung Cancer

We encourage patients to learn about possible clinical trial options early in their diagnosis. For example, cancer experts at UChicago Medicine are actively researching other DLL3 T-cell engagers for SCLC patients who have already received chemotherapy.

One of our researchers is also the principal investigator for an experimental drug called iadademstat, a lysine-specific demethylase (LSD1) inhibitor, which may improve patients’ response to maintenance immunotherapy following first-line chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This therapy could offer hope to the many patients with extensive-stage SCLC whose cancer starts to progress again after initial treatment with chemoimmunotherapy.

Getting a Second Opinion for Small Cell Lung Cancer

Because SCLC is rare, many community hospitals do not see as many patients with SCLC as large cancer centers like UChicago Medicine. When you are looking for a second opinion, we can help you understand your disease and all the available treatment options. Our SCLC experts will work with your local cancer team to find the best approach for you.