Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) comprises about 15% of all cases of lung cancer. In recent years, owing to a change in the epidemiology of smoking habits, the incidence of the tumor has decreased; however, it remains a significant challenge to global health. While the tumor has a favorable initial response to chemoradiation, relapse is invariable, and second-line regimens may be intolerable given the severity of side effects. For patients with tumors resistant to second-line regimens, no current standard regimens exist. Rovalpituzumab tesirine is a novel antibody-drug conjugate, targeting delta-like protein 3, fundamental in the downstream cellular signaling for proliferation and apoptosis. This drug is reported to have shown promise in pre-clinical and phase I trials. It appears effective in decreasing tumor burden and is reported to be well tolerated, albeit with a significant adverse effect profile. Currently, it is being studied as part of initial and subsequent line chemotherapeutic regimens; it remains to be seen if this is a viable option in the treatment of SCLC. This may add to the agents that can be used against SCLC, and help improve outcomes.
MeSH terms
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / chemistry
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology*
-
Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
-
Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
-
Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
-
Apoptosis / drug effects
-
Benzodiazepinones / adverse effects
-
Benzodiazepinones / chemistry
-
Benzodiazepinones / pharmacology*
-
Cell Proliferation / drug effects
-
Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
-
Humans
-
Immunoconjugates / adverse effects
-
Immunoconjugates / chemistry
-
Immunoconjugates / pharmacology*
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
-
Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
-
Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
-
Lung Neoplasms / pathology
-
Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
-
Membrane Proteins / metabolism
-
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / drug therapy*
-
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / metabolism
-
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / pathology
Substances
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
-
Antineoplastic Agents
-
Benzodiazepinones
-
DLL3 protein, human
-
Immunoconjugates
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
-
Membrane Proteins
-
rovalpituzumab tesirine