Advancements in Small-cell Lung Cancer: The Changing Landscape Following IMpower-133.

The treatment landscape of small-cell lung cancer is rapidly evolving. Results of the first-line randomized trial comparing etoposide/carboplatin/placebo with etoposide/carboplatin/atezolizumab (IMpower-133) were recently published, showing a longer progression-free survival and overall survival for patients receiving atezolizumab. These results changed the standard first-line therapy for the first time in several decades. There are 4 additional ongoing randomized trials comparing chemotherapy alone with chemotherapy plus immune checkpoint inhibition as initial treatment. In addition to these major changes in first-line treatment, multiple second or later line options with new agents are likely to change therapeutic standards in these settings. In this article, we discuss the changing treatment landscape following IMpower-133, highlight new second/subsequent line approaches, and discuss the role of biomarkers in patient selection for these treatments.