Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Prophylactic cranial irradiation for small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy and molecular subtypes

Pozonec, Veronika ; Pozonec, Maria Dorothea ; Aigner, Clemens ; Widder, Joachim ; Boettiger, Kristiina ; Megyesfalvi, Zsolt and Dome, Balazs LU (2025) In Current Opinion in Oncology 37(1). p.27-34
Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, whereas its metastatic capacity carries a predilection for the brain. Although prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has been used to address this problem, upcoming alternatives might necessitate reflection of its application in SCLC treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: The addition of immunotherapy to treatment guidelines has provided a new strategy for the management of brain metastases. Complementation of immunotherapy with active MRI surveillance could potentially replace PCI and avoid irradiation-related cognitive side effects. SCLC's molecular profile is heterogeneous, with differential response to treatment modalities between subgroups.... (More)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, whereas its metastatic capacity carries a predilection for the brain. Although prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has been used to address this problem, upcoming alternatives might necessitate reflection of its application in SCLC treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: The addition of immunotherapy to treatment guidelines has provided a new strategy for the management of brain metastases. Complementation of immunotherapy with active MRI surveillance could potentially replace PCI and avoid irradiation-related cognitive side effects. SCLC's molecular profile is heterogeneous, with differential response to treatment modalities between subgroups. Investigation of these variances might be essential to improve therapeutic outcomes in SCLC patients. SUMMARY: The role of PCI in SCLC treatment must be examined in light of immunotherapy. We summarize recent results, bearing SCLC subtypes and therapeutic vulnerabilities in mind, to derive tailored treatment strategies for SCLC patients in future settings.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Current Opinion in Oncology
volume
37
issue
1
pages
8 pages
publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
external identifiers
  • pmid:39625049
  • scopus:85211423189
ISSN
1040-8746
DOI
10.1097/CCO.0000000000001111
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f201df05-c187-43f8-8a34-106716a14ee3
date added to LUP
2025-03-04 14:37:27
date last changed
2025-07-09 01:35:30
@article{f201df05-c187-43f8-8a34-106716a14ee3,
  abstract     = {{<p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, whereas its metastatic capacity carries a predilection for the brain. Although prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has been used to address this problem, upcoming alternatives might necessitate reflection of its application in SCLC treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: The addition of immunotherapy to treatment guidelines has provided a new strategy for the management of brain metastases. Complementation of immunotherapy with active MRI surveillance could potentially replace PCI and avoid irradiation-related cognitive side effects. SCLC's molecular profile is heterogeneous, with differential response to treatment modalities between subgroups. Investigation of these variances might be essential to improve therapeutic outcomes in SCLC patients. SUMMARY: The role of PCI in SCLC treatment must be examined in light of immunotherapy. We summarize recent results, bearing SCLC subtypes and therapeutic vulnerabilities in mind, to derive tailored treatment strategies for SCLC patients in future settings.</p>}},
  author       = {{Pozonec, Veronika and Pozonec, Maria Dorothea and Aigner, Clemens and Widder, Joachim and Boettiger, Kristiina and Megyesfalvi, Zsolt and Dome, Balazs}},
  issn         = {{1040-8746}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{27--34}},
  publisher    = {{Lippincott Williams & Wilkins}},
  series       = {{Current Opinion in Oncology}},
  title        = {{Prophylactic cranial irradiation for small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy and molecular subtypes}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/CCO.0000000000001111}},
  doi          = {{10.1097/CCO.0000000000001111}},
  volume       = {{37}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}