Advancements in the Understanding of Small-Cell Neuroendocrine Cervical Cancer: Where We Stand and What Lies Ahead

Abstract

Small-cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (SCNCC) is a rare yet aggressive gynecological malignancy associated with dismal clinical outcomes. Its rarity has led to a limited number of retrospective studies and an absence of prospective research, posing significant challenges for evidence-based treatment approaches. As a result, most gynecologic oncology centers have limited experience with this tumor, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive review and summary. This article systematically reviews the pathogenesis, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics, prognostic factors, and clinical management of gynecologic SCNCC. We specifically focused on reviewing the distinct genomic characteristics of SCNCC identified via next-generation sequencing technologies, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH), somatic mutations, structural variations (SVs), and microRNA alterations. The identification of these actionable genomic events offers promise for discovering new molecular targets for drug development and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, we delve deeper into key clinical challenges, such as determining the optimal treatment modality between chemoradiation and surgery for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I phase patients within a precision stratification framework, as well as the role of targeted therapy within the homologous recombination (HR) pathway, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in the management of SCNCC. Finally, we anticipate the utilization of multiple SCNCC models, including cancer tissue-originated spheroid (CTOS) lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), to decipher driver events and develop individualized therapeutic strategies for clinical application.

Keywords: molecular characteristics; pathogenesis; small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma; treatment; uterine cervix.

Figure 1

Prospective Individualized Therapeutics in SCNCC. The utilization of high-throughput, integrative “omics” approaches, supported by advanced bioinformatics tools across multiple SCNCC models including CTOS and PDX to decipher driver events and develop individualized therapeutic strategies for clinical application. Abbreviations: CTOS, cancer tissue-originated spheroid; PDX, patient-derived xenograft; SCNCC, small-cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma; LOH, loss of heterozygosity; SVs, structural variations.