Treatment for small cell lung cancer--present status and future prospects

Strategies for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were reviewed depending on the recent results of treatment. The development of new anti-cancer drugs are essential for the further improvement results of SCLC. However, the candidate of patient for phase II study of new anticancer drug is controversial. Intensified chemotherapy is essential in order to obtain long term survivors, however, the toxic death rate should be less than 5% of whole patients. The theory of non-cross resistant alternative chemotherapy has also been applied to the treatment of SCLC. The protocol study supported by grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Health and Welfare is now on-going by cooperative study. There are many discussions about the efficacy of combined modality in SCLC. However, present randomized trials gave clear answers about the priority of combined modality in SCLC. There are numerous biological studies about SCLC. These studies will contribute to improve the treatment results of SCLC.