Small cell lung cancer: scientists identify two new approaches for therapy

Iron-dependent cell death ferroptosis and cell death by oxidative stress can be activated in small cell lung cancer, and induced by two drugs / publication in 'Nature Communications'. Using samples of small cell lung tumours, a research team led by biologist Dr Silvia von Karstedt has discovered two new ways to induce tumour cell death. One of two subsets of tumour cells can be targeted by activating ferroptosis: iron-dependent cell death caused by oxidative stress. In the second subtype, oxidative stress - and hence cell death - can also be induced in a different way. Both types of cell death must be triggered simultaneously by drugs to kill the majority of the tumour mass. The results of the study have been published . Despite many advances in treatment, a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer means a particularly poor prognosis.