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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with an estimated 1.76 million deaths in 2018. Small cell lung cancer, also known as SCLC, accounts for about 15% of all lung cancer cases. It is a highly aggressive and fast-growing form of lung cancer that typically responds well to initial treatment, but often becomes resistant to therapy and spreads to other parts of the body. Despite advancements in treatment options, the survival rate for small cell lung cancer remains low.

However, there is new hope for patients with advanced SCLC in the form of a groundbreaking immunotherapy drug called atezolizumab. This drug has shown remarkable success in recent clinical trials and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced SCLC. Atezolizumab works by harnessing the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

Here are some of the positive benefits of atezolizumab for small cell lung cancer patients:

1. Improved overall survival: In a clinical trial involving 403 patients with advanced SCLC, those who received atezolizumab in combination with other chemotherapy drugs had a median overall survival of 12.3 months compared to 10.3 months for those who only received chemotherapy. This represents a 30% reduction in the risk of death for patients who received atezolizumab.

2. Increased progression-free survival: Atezolizumab has also shown to significantly increase the amount of time before the cancer progresses or gets worse. Patients who received atezolizumab had a median progression-free survival of 5.2 months compared to 4.3 months for those who only received chemotherapy.

3. Better response to treatment: The combination of atezolizumab and chemotherapy has shown to produce a higher overall response rate in SCLC patients compared to chemotherapy alone. This means that tumors are shrinking or disappearing in a greater number of patients who receive atezolizumab.

4. Fewer side effects: Unlike traditional chemotherapy, atezolizumab is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. This is because it targets cancer cells specifically without harming healthy cells. The most common side effects reported include fatigue, nausea, and decreased appetite.

5. Potential for long-term remission: Atezolizumab has shown to have a lasting effect on patients with advanced SCLC. In some cases, patients have experienced long-term remission, meaning the cancer is undetectable and does not require further treatment.

6. New treatment option for previously treated patients: For patients who have already received traditional chemotherapy treatments and their cancer has progressed, atezolizumab offers a new treatment option. This is because it works differently from chemotherapy and can help those who have become resistant to traditional treatments.

In conclusion, atezolizumab has shown to be a game-changing immunotherapy drug for patients with small cell lung cancer. Its ability to harness the body's immune system to fight cancer cells has provided new hope for those previously faced with limited treatment options. Not only does it increase the survival rate and response to treatment, but it also offers a chance for long-term remission. With continued research and development in the field of immunotherapy, there is hope for an even brighter future for SCLC patients.