Debiopharm's trial for patients with small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a type of lung cancer which is considered distinct from other lung cancers, which are called non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). About 10% to 15% of lung cancers are SCLC. SCLC grow quickly and spread (metastasise) via the bloodstream to the liver, lung, bones and brain. It is very common for tumour metastasis to be found in these organs at the time of diagnosis. Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer and the risk is even higher for SCLC. This is why SCLC is quite rare in people who have never smoked. Survival in people with SCLC varies depending on the stage (extent) of the cancer when it is diagnosed; 3% to 29% of affected individuals survive more than 5 years after diagnosis.

Clinical trials

A ‘clinical trial’ is a research study in which people agree to test a potential new treatment to prevent or improve a disease or medical condition. A clinical trial also looks at how participants react to the potential new treatment and if any unwanted effects occur. This helps to determine if the new investigational treatment works, is safe, and is better than those that are already available. Many clinical trials also compare existing treatments or test new ways to use or combine existing treatments.

External links related to this pathology

American Cancer Society

Cancer Research UK

EudraCT

Ligue contre le cancer

National Cancer Institute

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

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