Furthermore, by identifying novel potentially targetable proteins and proteomic pathways, our project might represent a step forward in the development of subtype-specific therapeutic approaches and follow-up strategies in this devastating disease.

We intend to investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic significance of each subtype in a large panel of human SCLC cell lines in correlation with their proteomic and metabolomic profiles of the cell lines and tumor samples, in vivo metastatic capacity and sensitivity to potential targeted agents. Additionally, the specific features of the molecular subtypes will be also assessed by performing genetic mutation analyses and using in-depth machine-learning algorithms. All potential circulating biomarkers delineated by proteomics and metabolomics will be first validated by a series of in vivo experiments in different murine models. In addition, in order to improve patient selection and follow-up in a non-invasive manner, the specific PET-CT radiomic features of enrolled patients will be also analyzed within the framework of the current study.

Altogether, by identifying a wide range of novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets via multiomic approaches, the current study will possibly result in a new subtype-specific biomarker panel which will contribute to the development of individualized diagnostic and/or therapeutic strategies in this hard-to-treat disease. Therefore, by shedding light on the biological and clinical relevance of SCLC subtypes, the current study might help to improve patient selection and develop novel therapeutic strategies.

For more information about the BIOSMALL project you can find on the website and the LinkedIn page.