Small-cell lung cancer brain metastasis: From molecular mechanisms to diagnosis and treatment

Yingze Zhu; Yishuang Cui; Xuan Zheng; Yue Zhao; Guogui Sun

doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166557

Small-cell lung cancer brain metastasis: From molecular mechanisms to diagnosis and treatment

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2022 Dec 1;1868(12):166557. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166557. Epub 2022 Sep 24.

Authors

Yingze Zhu¹, Yishuang Cui¹, Xuan Zheng¹, Yue Zhao², Guogui Sun³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-industrial Integration Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China.
² Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China. Electronic address: zhaoyue@zjcc.org.cn.
³ Department of Hebei Key Laboratory of Medical-industrial Integration Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, China. Electronic address: guogui_sun2021@sina.com.

PMID: 36162624
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166557

Abstract

Lung cancer is the most malignant human cancer worldwide, also with the highest incidence rate. However, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for 14 % of all lung cancer cases. Approximately 10 % of patients with SCLC have brain metastasis at the time of diagnosis, which is the leading cause of death of patients with SCLC worldwide. The median overall survival is only 4.9 months, and a long-tern cure exists for patients with SCLC brain metastasis due to limited common therapeutic options. Recent studies have enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to meningeal metastasis, and multimodality treatments have brought new hopes for a better cure for the disease. This review aimed to offer an insight into the cellular processes of different metastatic stages of SCLC revealed by the established animal models, and into the major diagnostic methods of SCLC. Additionally, it provided in-depth information on the recent advances in SCLC treatments, and highlighted several new models and biomarkers with promises to improve the prognosis of SCLC.

Keywords: Brain metastasis; Diagnosis and treatment; Molecular mechanisms; Small-cell lung cancer.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Brain Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* / drug therapy
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* / therapy