touchEXPERT OPINIONS Current treatment paradigm and future prospects for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer in the relapsed setting
Watch three oncology specialists discuss the latest advances in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko discusses recent changes in the treatment landscape of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer and the challenges associated with identifying therapeutic targets in this disease.
1/3 Next InterviewInterview Questions
In this interview, Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko answers the following questions:
- Why is there a need for novel first-line treatment approaches in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer?
- How has the addition of checkpoint inhibitors impacted the treatment landscape in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer?
- Why is the development of targeted agents a challenge in small cell lung cancer?
- What other therapeutic mechanisms can be used to manage extensive-stage small cell lung cancer?
- How will the updated National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines impact patient management and outcomes in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer?
About Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko
Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko is Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University. He is also a Georgia Research Alliance Distinguished Cancer Scientist. read more
Prof. Owonikoko has been part of the faculty at Emory University since 2008 and has focused his translational research activities on lung cancer, thyroid cancer and early-phase drug development.
Prof. Owonikoko has received peer-reviewed grant funding from the National Institute of Health, Department of Defense and Georgia Cancer Coalition. He has published over 219 peer-reviewed manuscripts in high-impact journals including New England Journal of Medicine, Cell, Science, Nature, CA Cancer Journal, Cancer Cell, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Discovery, Nature Communications, Oncogene, Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research and Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Prof. Owonikoko discloses (as of September 2020): Research support (to institution) from Aeglea Biotherapeutics, Amgen, Astellas Pharma, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Eisai, Fujifilm, G1 Therapeutics, Incyte, Ipsen, Loxo/Lilly, Merck, Mersana, Novartis, Oncorus, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche/Genentech , StemCentRx, Turning Point and United Therapeutics; Consulting/advisory board fees from Abbvie, Amgen, ARMO BioSciences, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BerGenBio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, EMD Serono, G1 Therapeutics, Heron Pharmaceutical, Ipsen, Jazz, Lilly, MedImmune, Merck, Novartis, PharmaMar, Sandoz, XCovery and Zentalis; Independent review committee/data safety monitoring board fees from EMD Serono and Roche/Genentech; Stockholdings /co-founder of Cambium Oncology.
Dr Viola Zhu reviews the evidence behind US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of targeted treatments for relapsed small cell lung cancer and implications for patient management.
2/3 Next InterviewInterview Questions
In this interview, Dr Viola Zhu answers the following questions:
- What is the evidence base for the accelerated FDA approval of second-line lurbinectedin in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer?
- What evidence led to the approval of nivolumab in the third-line setting and its subsequent withdrawal from the US market?
- What are the key data that led to the accelerated approval of pembrolizumab in the third-line setting?
- What adverse events may be experienced with immune checkpoint inhibitors and lurbinectedin?
- How are adverse events that are associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and lurbinectedin best managed in clinical practice?
About Dr Viola Zhu
Dr Viola Zhu is Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California Irvine and an attending physician at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. read more
Dr Zhu earned her medical degree from Fudan University Shanghai Medical College (formerly Shanghai Medical University) and was in a graduate programme in Medical Oncology at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center prior to receiving her PhD degree in Molecular Pathology and Immunology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at Boston Medical Center. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology.
Dr Zhu’s clinical focus is lung cancer, and she is actively involved in many early-phase trials of novel targeted therapies. She is on the editorial board for Journal of Clinical Oncology and has publications in many high-impact journals including New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Cancer Discovery.
Dr Viola Zhu discloses: Consultancy/advisory board fees from AstraZeneca, Roche/Genentech, Takeda, Xcovery; Stockholdings in TP Therapeutics (until May 2020); Speakers bureau fees from AstraZeneca, Blueprint, Roche/Genentech and Takeda.
Prof. Giuseppe Giaccone outlines the emerging molecular classification of small cell lung cancer, and potential therapeutic approaches and biomarkers currently being investigated in this disease.
3/3 Take CME TestInterview Questions
In this interview, Prof. Giuseppe Giaccone answers the following questions:
- How can molecular classification of small cell lung cancer facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches?
- What therapeutic targets and treatment strategies are being explored in small cell lung cancer?
- What emerging targets show promise in relapsed small cell lung cancer?
- What immunotherapy combination approaches are being explored in relapsed small cell lung cancer?
- What biomarkers are being investigated to help guide treatment selection for patients with small cell lung cancer?
About Prof. Giuseppe Giaccone
Prof. Giuseppe Giaccone is an internationally recognized expert in the field of lung cancer and developmental therapeutics. In September 2019, he joined Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital as Chief of Thoracic Oncology and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center. He also directs the phase I clinical trial programme for early drug development. read more
Prof. Giaccone played an influential role at the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), serving as a member of the EORTC’s Lung Cancer Cooperative Group since 1982 and as its Chair from 1993 to 2000. He also led several major clinical studies focusing on lung cancer and other thoracic tumours.
Prof. Giaccone was appointed Chief of the Medical Oncology Branch of the Center for Cancer Research of the National Cancer Institute in April 2007. In 2013, Prof. Giaccone joined the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University in Washington, DC as the Associate Director for Clinical Research and the Director of Clinical Research for the MedStar Health Cancer Network’s Washington Region, and Professor of Medical Oncology and Pharmacology.
Prof. Giaccone’s research is mainly focused on the study of the biology of lung cancer and thymic tumours, and treatment of these tumour types. He has made seminal discoveries that have led to new ways of treating lung cancer and diagnosing thymic tumours. Prof. Giaccone has published more than 500 peer-reviewed papers and contributed to more than 30 book chapters.
Prof. Giuseppe Giaccone has no financial interests/relationships of affiliations to disclose in relation to this activity.
Overview & Learning Objectives
Overview
In this activity, three leading experts discuss the evolving treatment landscape of extensive-stage SCLC and review the latest clinical trial data for emerging therapies in this field.
This activity has been jointly provided by Oakstone and touchIME ONCOLOGY. Oakstone Publishing is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
Target audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of oncology specialists involved in the management of patients with small cell lung cancer.
Disclosures
Oakstone Publishing has assessed conflict of interest with its faculty, authors, editors, and any individuals who were in a position to control the content of this CME activity. Any identified relevant conflicts of interest were resolved for fair balance and scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity. Oakstone Publishing’s planners, content reviewers, and editorial staff disclose no relevant commercial interests.
Faculty
Prof. Owonikoko discloses (as of September 2020): Research support (to institution) from Aeglea Biotherapeutics, Amgen, Astellas Pharma, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers, Eisai, Fujifilm, G1 Therapeutics, Incyte, Ipsen, Loxo/Lilly, Merck, Mersana, Novartis, Oncorus, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche/Genentech , StemCentRx, Turning Point and United Therapeutics; Consulting/advisory board fees from Abbvie, Amgen, ARMO BioSciences, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BerGenBio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eisai, EMD Serono, G1 Therapeutics, Heron Pharmaceutical, Ipsen, Jazz, Lilly, MedImmune, Merck, Novartis, PharmaMar, Sandoz, XCovery and Zentalis; Independent review committee/data safety monitoring board fees from EMD Serono and Roche/Genentech; Stockholdings /co-founder of Cambium Oncology.
Dr Viola Zhu discloses: Consultancy/advisory board fees from AstraZeneca, Roche/Genentech, Takeda, Xcovery; Stockholdings in TP Therapeutics (until May 2020); Speakers bureau fees from AstraZeneca, Blueprint, Roche/Genentech and Takeda.
Prof. Giuseppe Giaccone has no financial interests/relationships of affiliations to disclose in relation to this activity.
Content reviewer
Walter Murray Yarbrough, MD, FACP has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.
Touch Medical Director
Hennah Patel, MPharm, RPh, has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.
Requirements for Successful Completion
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Oakstone Publishing and touchIME. Oakstone Publishing is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) – European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the American Medical Association (AMA). European physicians interested in converting AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ into European CME credit (ECMEC) should contact the UEMS (www.uems.eu).
Oakstone Publishing designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
In order to receive credit for this activity, participants must review and complete the post-test and evaluation form. Statements of credit are awarded upon successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form.
Date of original release: 25 March 2021. Date credits expire: 25 March 2022.
Learning Objectives
After watching this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Summarize the current treatment recommendations for SCLC and how they are evolving as new agents emerge
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety of emerging agents for relapsed SCLC
- Describe emerging treatment options and ongoing clinical trials for relapsed SCLC

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