The Evolving Role of Chemo-immuno-radiotherapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer

The field of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is experiencing significant advancements, driven by recent innovations in treatment strategies. Traditionally, the prognosis for SCLC patients has been poor, but recent developments, such as the introduction of single-agent immunotherapy with durvalumab as a consolidation treatment, have shown promise in improving overall survival (OS). Similarly, chemo-immunotherapy has altered the landscape for extensive disease, provoking a re-evaluation of the roles of Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI) and Thoracic consolidation. Despite these advancements, there is still much to uncover, especially regarding new compounds like lurbinectedine and tarlatamab, and their potential roles alongside traditional treatments.

This Research Topic aims to explore and redefine the integrated treatment strategies in SCLC with a focus on the evolving role of radiotherapy. It seeks to address questions surrounding the optimized setting, timing, and techniques of radiotherapy, particularly in synergy with emerging therapeutic compounds. Additionally, this Research Topic will examine the impact of novel strategies in managing brain and bone metastases, critical areas due to their prognostic significance. Another primary focus is identifying practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing personalized radiotherapy approaches and the importance of developing predictive biomarkers.

To gather further insights into SCLC treatments' evolving paradigm, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Integrated treatment strategies and re-evaluation of radiotherapy's role regarding its setting, timing, scope, and techniques.
- Combinational therapies involving radiotherapy and newly developed or investigational compounds.
- Innovative strategies for managing brain and bone metastases in SCLC.
- The potential application of AI in refining radiotherapy planning and execution for SCLC.
- Identification and validation of predictive biomarkers in the radiotherapy context for SCLC.


Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases that are not accompanied by validation (independent clinical or patient cohort, or biological validation in vitro or in vivo, which are not based on public databases) are not suitable for publication in this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), radiotherapy, immuntherapy, SCLC artificial intelligence, SCLC biomaker

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.