Until recently, a diagnosis of mesothelioma has been a fairly devestating and depression-causing event in a patient’s life. This is because mesothelioma is such an aggressive form of cancer. One of the goals of the Mesothelioma Sociey is to make as many people as possible aware of the disease, it’s causes, diagnosis and treatments. A significant problem is that mesothelioma is rarely diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. Treatment avenues have been limited and the prognosis has usually been grim.
Due to the increasing number of cases of mesothelioma, more doctors and research scientists are now searching for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
The Search for New Treatments
New treatments are emerging all the time. Doctors and scientists are gaining a better understanding of the design of mesothelioma. This helps researchers to develop new forms of drug treatments as well as new treatment procedures.
As these drugs or procedures are developed, they are tested in clinical trials by people who already have mesothelioma. Results of clinical trials dictate whether or not the drug or procedure will be approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (”FDA”). Once the FDA issues an approval, the new treatment will be available to the general public.
Status of Current Research
Chemotherapy – For some time this has been the treatment of choice for mesothelioma patients, usually as a palliative measure to relieve symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. Improvements in chemotherapy vs. mesothelioma continue to bring hope to those with the disease. The most promising at this time is the drug Alimta©. This drug, when combined with another long-used chemo drug called Cisplatin, is the only Food and Drug Administration approved agent designated for specific use in combating malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Another drug that researchers currently feel is on track for imminent approval is Onconase©. Onconase is a first-in-class drug that has been shown to target cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
Anti-Angiogenesis Drugs – These drugs will, by design, prevent angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels are formed from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenesis plays a key role in the spreading of tumors, so researchers are searching for ways to halt the process in cancer patients. One anti-angiogenesis drug for the treatment of mesothelioma is currently available, named Avastin, and it lowers the levels of a protein that prompts angiogenesis; therefore, inhibiting cell growth.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy – This new form of radiation is done in the interest of limiting the amount of radiation hitting the healthy tissue surrounding the area where the tumor is located.
Gene Therapy – Many researchers are taking a close look at gene therapy with regards to its success in treating a number of diseases, including mesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, this approach to treating mesothelioma uses special viruses that have been modified in the laboratory. The modified virus is injected into the pleural space and infects the mesothelioma cells. When this infection occurs, the virus injects a gene into the mesothelioma cells for interferon-beta, an immune system hormone (cytokine) that may help activate immune system cells to attack the cancerous cells.
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