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| Newer drugs in the treatment of small cell lung cancer
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The following are a list of newer drugs in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. These drugs have limited role in the initial treatment of small cell lung cancer. These drugs are mostly used when the initial chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide fail. It is to be noted that new study from Japan has shown that combination of irinotecan plus cisplatin may be superior to combination of cisplatin and etoposide, but these findings need further confirmation before it can be adopted as the standard of care in the initial treatment of small cell lung cancer
Paclitaxel This drug may be effective in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. Efficiency of this drug in combination with other drugs is being explored at this time Decetaxel This drug appears to have |
slightly lower efficiency compared to paclitaxel, however some studies have shown using this drug as a single agent may achieve survival rates comparable to combination chemotherapy. This drug needs further evaluation before it can be adopted for the treatment of small cell lung cancer.
Topotecan This drug has proven efficiency in the second line treatment (when the cancer recurs after treatment with cisplatin and etoposide) and is approved by FDA for this indication. Irinotecan This is a promising drug in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. As mentioned above combination of irinotecan plus cisplatin may be superior to combination of etoposide and cisplatin. This drug needs further evaluation for the treatment of small cell lung cancer. |
| Newer drugs in the treatment of small cell lung cancer |
