ADCs and TCE in SCLC Therapy: The Beginning of a New Era?

Abstract

The therapeutic landscape for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has remained stationary for decades, with chemotherapy representing the sole treatment strategy, with a modest survival benefit. The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to standard first-line chemotherapy for SCLC was a considerable milestone. However, despite high overall response rates, this strategy failed to deliver long-term benefits for most patients, who continue to face a poor prognosis. Over the last few years, a deeper knowledge of the molecular biology of SCLC and the impressive advancements in drug development, have led to the generation of novel classes of systemic therapies that promise to revolutionize the current therapeutic scenario. Among the various therapeutic approaches in development, T-cell Engagers (TCE) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) stand out due to their unique structural characteristics and mechanisms of action. These therapies represent a paradigm shift from traditional monoclonal antibody (mAb) and chemotherapy regimens, allowing direct engagement of multiple targets associated with tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of current drug development in SCLC, specifically focusing on these new agents, summarizing available evidence, and tracking future directions.