Prof. dr. Martin Schuler, University Hospital Essen

Biography
Martin Schuler, M.D., is chairman of the Department of Medical Oncology and vice director of the West German Cancer Center Essen, which is the comprehensive cancer center of the University Hospital Essen and one of 15 Oncology Centers of Excellence designated by the German Cancer Aid. He is also spokesperson of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), site NCT West. The NCT is a federally funded institution comprising 6 sites and the German Cancer Research Center to foster clinical cancer research in Germany.

Professor Schuler holds a full professorship of medicine at the Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology/medical oncology, pulmonary medicine, and palliative medicine. He is member and current or former board member of several professional associations, including the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and German Cancer Society (DKG). Professor Schuler is editor of the Lung Cancer section of the European Journal of Cancer. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 articles published in high impact scientific journals.

Summary presentation
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are firmly established in first-line treatment of patients with limited disease and extensive disease SCLC. Intesification of atezolizumab-based maintenance treatment with lurbinectedin has demonstrated a moderate survival benefit in a selected patient population, which comes with increased toxicities. The T cell engager tarlatamab is the new standard in second-line treatment of SCLC patients. It has demonstrated a meaninful survival benefit and less, but distinct toxicities than standard second-line chemotherapy. EMA approval is expected in 2026. Based on exploratory trials several studies are underway to position tarlatamab in first-line treatment of SCLC.