Update of Research on Drug Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer Chemotherapy

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by a short cell doubling time, rapid progression and earlyoccurrence of blood-borne and lymph metastasis. The malignancy is the highest of all lung cancer types.Although SCLC has a relatively good initial response to chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy, relapse or diseaseprogression may occur quickly after the initial treatment. Drug resistance, especially multi-drug resistance, isthe most important cause of failure of SCLC chemotherapy. This article provides a brief update of research onmechanisms of drug resistance in SCLC and reversal strategies.