a trend toward significancep < 0.10
Variables demonstrating a trend toward significance ( p < 0.10) in the univariable analysis were entered into multivariable models using a backward stepwise approach, while age, stage, and ECOG performance status were additionally forced into the multivariable models due to their well-established clinical relevance in SCLC, and results were reported as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).