Management of patients with extensive small-cell lung cancer in the immunotherapy era: An Italian consensus through a Delphi approach

Abstract

Background: Immunotherapy represented a turning point for treating extensive small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Although, many issues remain debated.

Methods: A group of Italian medical and radiation oncologists with expertise in managing patients with ES-SCLC developed a list of statements divided in six areas of interest. The Delphi method was used to assess the consensus on the defined list of statements.

Results: 32 statements were included in the final list to be voted by the Delphi panel, and 26 reached a consensus on the agreement. A prompt involvement of a multidisciplinary team is a priority to provide an integrated treatment strategy. First-line recommended treatment is immunotherapy in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy and etoposide for four cycles followed by maintenance immunotherapy.

Conclusions: While awaiting new data from clinical trials and real-world studies, these recommendations can represent a useful tool to guide the management of ES-SCLC patients in daily practice.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; Patient management; SCLC; Small-cell lung cancer.