Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer: 2025 and Beyond

Juhi Kunde, Director of Science and Research Marketing

Read time: 2 minutes.

Researchers have been trying to find new ways to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC) for a long time. Those efforts are starting to pay off in big ways.

Join Stephen Liu, MD, of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Amy Moore, PhD, of LUNGevity Foundation, as they walk us through the treatment options for SCLC, including exciting breakthroughs on the horizon.

This video was part of LUNGevity’s International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC)—a free, virtual conference for people with lung cancer and their loved ones—in September 2024.

Since September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved durvalumab for treating limited-stage SCLC. You can learn more about the approval of durvalumab here.

Want to join us this coming September to learn about the latest lung cancer research and treatments at the 2025 International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference? Sign up to be the first to know about ILCSC25.

Introduction 0:00–4:30

Enjoy a fun introduction by Dr. Moore, then listen as Dr. Liu shares the story of a patient living with SCLC for five years, a heartening achievement largely due to research advances.

What Is Small Cell Lung Cancer? 4:31–13:37

You’ll hear Dr. Liu answer frequently asked questions about small cell lung cancer, including the most common symptoms and the unique challenges facing patients with SCLC, such as brain metastasis. He also shares the roles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in treating extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Treatment Advances for Small Cell Lung Cancer 13:38–21:12

Learn more about the current status of biomarkers in treating SCLC, such as the ongoing research into radiation therapy, including prophylactic (preventive) cranial radiation and chest radiation for both limited-stage and extensive-stage SCLC. Dr. Liu also shares the role of immunotherapy in treating limited-stage SCLC.

The Next Generation of SCLC Treatments 21:13–30:18

Go beyond existing chemotherapy and immunotherapies to learn more about the next generation of treatments, including FDA-approved tarlatamab.

Are Antibody-Drug Conjugates the Future of SCLC Treatment? 30:19–36:30

Take a look into the future as Dr. Liu explains antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and why they are an exciting new approach for treating SCLC. He explains how these drugs work and explores the research data showing promising results.

Conclusion and Wrap-up 36:31 – 54:13

End on a note of hope with Dr. Liu. Then stick around to hear the detailed discussion between attendees and Drs. Liu and Moore as they dig into the open questions in the field.