Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) account for 2–3% of all resected lung cancers and belong to the category of neuroendocrine lung tumors, which also includes pulmonary carcinoids and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Due to the difficulties in histologic diagnosis and rarity, molecular and genomic characteristics of LCNEC are not fully understood. Standard of care for this malignancy has been poorly defined, especially systemic therapy in the adjuvant and advanced-stage settings. Although several studies investigated its unique molecular mechanisms, they are not incorporated into clinical management. Unlike common thoracic cancers, the role of targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors is not clearly established.
Due to lack of understanding the disease, rarity, and difficulty in diagnosis, management for LCNEC remains unclear in several areas. Extrapolating from other lung cancer histologies, patients are currently treated like non-small cell lung cancer or SCLC. Because there are no established guidelines that address multi-disciplinary care of LCNEC, consensus approaches to manage LCNEC in clinics are warranted. We welcome prospective and retrospective original studies as well as literature reviews that provide readers with up-to-date management.
- Role of surgery and other non-medical management
- Adjuvant chemotherapy
- Systemic treatment (chemotherapy) in advanced stage
- New systemic treatments including targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors
- Molecular characteristics of LCNEC
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) account for 2–3% of all resected lung cancers and belong to the category of neuroendocrine lung tumors, which also includes pulmonary carcinoids and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Due to the difficulties in histologic diagnosis and rarity, molecular and genomic characteristics of LCNEC are not fully understood. Standard of care for this malignancy has been poorly defined, especially systemic therapy in the adjuvant and advanced-stage settings. Although several studies investigated its unique molecular mechanisms, they are not incorporated into clinical management. Unlike common thoracic cancers, the role of targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors is not clearly established.
Due to lack of understanding the disease, rarity, and difficulty in diagnosis, management for LCNEC remains unclear in several areas. Extrapolating from other lung cancer histologies, patients are currently treated like non-small cell lung cancer or SCLC. Because there are no established guidelines that address multi-disciplinary care of LCNEC, consensus approaches to manage LCNEC in clinics are warranted. We welcome prospective and retrospective original studies as well as literature reviews that provide readers with up-to-date management.
- Role of surgery and other non-medical management
- Adjuvant chemotherapy
- Systemic treatment (chemotherapy) in advanced stage
- New systemic treatments including targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors
- Molecular characteristics of LCNEC
