Living Room Recap – Reasons to be Optimistic About Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) 

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) can be a highly aggressive form of lung cancer and can be difficult to treat. It is the rarest of the major lung cancer types and represents just 15% of all diagnoses. Unfortunately, few meaningful treatment advancements or improvements in survival rates have occurred in the last few decades for this biologically complex cancer.  

But there is a reason to be optimistic about the future of small cell lung cancer. In August’s Living Room conversation with Dr. Jared Weiss from the University of North Carolina’s Lineberger Cancer Center, we discussed the reasons for the historical lack of progress in SCLC, how he focuses on extending the life expectancy and improving the quality of life for his patients, and which new treatments on the horizon give him the most hope.  

Dr. Weiss has a remarkable ability to explain complicated medical concepts in an easy-to-understand way. We were inspired by his commitment to small cell lung cancer patients (a group he described as “[his] people”) and his enthusiasm for the research being done in this field.  

Please enjoy our conversation with Dr. Weiss here. 

Speaker:

Jared Weiss, MD, Head and Neck Cancer Section Chief, Lung Cancer Section Chief and Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Highlights from the August 2022 episode of the Living Room:  

• SCLC is diagnosed as either limited stage or extensive stage depending on how much the cancer has spread. 
• SCLC is commonly treated through chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.  
• A new type of immunotherapy for SCLC called Tarlatamab is showing good results in clinical trials and will hopefully come to clinic soon.  
• GO2’s LungMATCH service provides personal help navigating the clinical trial process.  
• Palliative care should be considered from the very beginning to improve quality of life and mitigate pain and side effects throughout treatment.  
• A new supportive care drug for SCLC called Cosela may improve fatigue symptoms for patients receiving chemotherapy. 
• CAR-T cell treatment may show promise for SCLC patients.

For more information about SCLC:  

• Watch this illustrated video to better understand what SCLC is and how GO2 for Lung Cancer can support you through your diagnosis and treatment.  
• GO2 for Lung Cancer launched a new SCLC-specific program in 2021 including an online community for small cell patients. 

Please also join us on YouTube for next month’s Lung Cancer Living Room on September 20th at 5:30 pm PT for a conversation with Dr. David Gandara from UC Davis Cancer Center about why lung cancer can become resistant to targeted therapy and immunotherapy and what researchers and clinicians are developing to combat this.  

For more information on these and other GO2 for Lung Cancer programs or for support through your diagnosis and treatment, please contact the HelpLine at 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org.