Where small cell lung cancer treatment is heading
Small cell lung cancer · Updated Nov 13, 2026
Small cell lung cancer is a fast-growing lung cancer, about 13% of lung cancers or roughly 30,000 US cases a year, nearly all in people who have smoked. Chemotherapy with immunotherapy is the first treatment, but relapse is common. DLL3-targeting drugs like tarlatamab are rapidly changing care.
- 865studies open or running
- 101phase 3 trials
- 8,457papers published this year
- 40NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
Tarlatamab in first-line maintenanceHappened +8.4 mo median survival
Added to durvalumab, median survival rose to 21.1 months from 12.7.
+8.4 mo: median survival: 21.1 vs 12.7 months.
Tarlatamab is the second-line standardHappened 13.6 mo median survival
Median survival 13.6 vs 8.3 months with chemotherapy; fully approved November 2025.
13.6 mo: median survival with tarlatamab, vs 8.3 with chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy for limited-stage diseaseHappened 55.9 mo median survival
Durvalumab after chemoradiation: median survival 55.9 vs 33.4 months.
55.9 mo: median survival with durvalumab, vs 33.4 with placebo.
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6 months
by May 2027
Filing for first-line tarlatamabLikely +8.4 mo median survival
DeLLphi-305 results support an application for maintenance use.
+8.4 mo: median survival: 21.1 vs 12.7 months.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Choosing between maintenance optionsPossible
Lurbinectedin-atezolizumab and tarlatamab-durvalumab will both be options; comparisons will guide choice.
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3 years
by late 2029
B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugatePossible
IDeate-Lung02 (540 people) tests ifinatamab deruxtecan against chemotherapy after first treatment; due January 2028.
A second DLL3 drug up frontPossible
DAREON-Lung-1 (670 people) adds obrixtamig to first-line chemo-immunotherapy; due September 2028.
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5 years
by late 2031
Sparing the whole brain from radiationPossible
NRG trial compares focused radiation with whole-brain radiation for brain spread, aiming to protect memory.
The research paths
DLL3-targeted drugs
+8.4 mo median survivalDetails and 1 trialsHide
Bispecific antibodies that steer T cells to DLL3, found on most SCLC cells.
WatchFirst-line approval; obrixtamig.
Antibody-drug conjugates
Details and 1 trialsHide
Targeted chemotherapy carriers aimed at B7-H3 and other markers.
WatchIDeate-Lung02.
Radiation and immunotherapy
55.9 mo median survivalDetails and 1 trialsHide
Better radiation for the brain and immunotherapy for earlier disease.
WatchNRG brain trial.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Prostate and other solid tumors
Ifinatamab deruxtecan
Phase 3
A B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugate tested across cancers.
Open to join now
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After first treatment
Ifinatamab deruxtecan
Locations and eligibility → -
Extensive stage, first treatment
Obrixtamig with chemo-immunotherapy
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting SCLC trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
What just happened
DeLLphi-305: 21.1 vs 12.7 months
ESMO Presidential Symposium.
Tarlatamab gets full FDA approval
After DeLLphi-304.
Standard treatment today
- Limited stageChemotherapy with radiation, then durvalumab.
- Extensive stage, firstPlatinum-etoposide with atezolizumab or durvalumab, then maintenance (now with lurbinectedin or tarlatamab options).
- After first treatmentTarlatamab; lurbinectedin or topotecan.
- BrainMRI monitoring or preventive brain radiation; focused radiation for spread.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Study counts include trials that enroll several lung cancer types, including non-small cell; the trials featured here are for small cell lung cancer.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See SCLC trials recruiting now →