S17 Ep14: Treatment Advances in Relapsed SCLC Introduce New Options and Clinical Workflows: With Alissa Cooper, MD

Relapsed small cell lung cancer treatment has shifted significantly with the FDA approval of tarlatamab, a DLL3-targeting T-cell engager that now serves as the second-line standard of care. Despite this progress, first-line management remains anchored in platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy due to a lack of predictive biomarkers. Dr. Alissa Cooper emphasizes that successful outcomes depend on rapid multidisciplinary coordination and robust operational support, particularly when managing toxicities like cytokine release syndrome. While clinical trials for targets such as SES-6 and B7H3 provide an "embarrassment of riches" for future therapies, significant barriers persist in patient access and treatment sequencing. Bridging the gap between community clinics and academic centers is essential to ensure timely access to these innovative therapies, especially for patients with aggressive disease who cannot wait for complex enrollment protocols.