Current knowledge of small cell lung cancer transformation from non-small cell lung cancer. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death, and is divided into two major histological subtypes, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Histological transformation from NSCLC to SCLC has been reported as a mechanism of treatment resistance in patients who received tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR, ALK and ROS1 or immunotherapies. The transformed histology could be due to therapy-induced lineage plasticity or clonal selection of pre-existing SCLC cells. Evidence supporting either mechanism exist in the literature. Here, we discuss potential mechanisms of transformation and review the current knowledge about cell of origin of NSCLC and SCLC. In addition, we summarize genomic alterations that are frequently observed in both "de novo" and transformed SCLC, such as TP53, RB1 and PIK3CA. We also discuss treatment options for transformed SCLC, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, TKIs, immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic agents.

publication date

  • May 26, 2023

Research

keywords

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85160408610

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.006

PubMed ID

  • 37244438

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 94