Advances in diagnosis and treatment of small cell lung cancer

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2026.08.1149

Abstract

Abstract: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive pulmonary malignancy with a poor prognosis. Advances in PET/CT imaging and artificial intelligence have improved the accuracy of clinical staging and enabled more precise prediction of treatment responses. Additionally, circulating tumor DNA analysis and molecular subtyping have deepened our understanding of SCLC, laying a theoretical foundation for precision diagnosis and therapy. Therapeutically, immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved outcomes for SCLC patients. Moreover, targeted therapies—such as DLL3 inhibitors, anti-angiogenic agents, PARP inhibitors, and AAK inhibitors—along with novel therapeutics, are opening new avenues and strategies for SCLC management. This review summarizes the major diagnostic and therapeutic advances in SCLC over the past five years, to provide reference and insights for both basic and clinical research.

Key words: small cell lung cancer, molecular subtyping, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, DLL3

CLC Number:

YOU Tingting, TANG Hui, SONG Dongfeng, YING Jinrong, BAI Chunmei. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of small cell lung cancer[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2026, 46(8): 1149-1153.

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