Unveiling the Mechanism of Lurbinectedin's Action and Its Potential in Combination Therapies in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Lurbinectedin is a selective inhibitor of oncogenic transcription approved for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Preclinical data provide evidence for lurbinectedin exerting its actions in a unique manner that involves oncogenic transcription inhibition, DNA damage, reshaping of the tumor microenvironment, and inducing anticancer immunity. Understanding the mechanism of action (MoA) has facilitated the rational combination of lurbinectedin and anticancer therapies with complementary modes of action, in order to obtain synergistic effects that could potentially lead to improved efficacy. This review evaluates the MoA for lurbinectedin and provides an overview of the therapeutic landscape with regards to lurbinectedin combination therapies for the treatment of SCLC based on data from preclinical and clinical studies.