Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, and other organs. It is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, and its treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, since mesothelioma is a complex disease with a poor prognosis, ongoing research is necessary to develop new treatment options that can improve patient outcomes.
Clinical trials are an essential part of this research process, as they allow researchers to test new therapies and investigate their safety and effectiveness. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, participating in a clinical trial may be an option to consider. In this article, we will discuss some of the ongoing clinical trials for mesothelioma and how you can find out more about them.
Immunotherapy Trials:
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for mesothelioma. Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the safety and effectiveness of different immunotherapy approaches for mesothelioma, including:
Checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs block certain proteins on cancer cells, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack them. Clinical trials are investigating the use of checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab alone or in combination with other treatments for mesothelioma.
CAR-T cell therapy: This is a type of immunotherapy that involves genetically modifying a patient’s T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Clinical trials are exploring the use of CAR-T cell therapy for mesothelioma.
Vaccines: Researchers are also investigating the use of vaccines to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack mesothelioma cells.
Targeted Therapy Trials:
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific genes or proteins that are involved in cancer growth and progression. Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the safety and effectiveness of targeted therapy for mesothelioma, including:
FGFR inhibitors: Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy that block the activity of FGFR proteins, which are often overexpressed in mesothelioma. Clinical trials are investigating the use of FGFR inhibitors such as infigratinib for mesothelioma.
Mesothelin-targeted therapy: Mesothelin is a protein that is overexpressed in many mesothelioma tumors. Clinical trials are investigating the use of drugs that target mesothelin, such as amatuximab and anetumab ravtansine.
Other Trials:
Other clinical trials for mesothelioma are investigating novel approaches to treatment, such as:
Gene therapy: This involves introducing genetic material into cancer cells to target specific genes or proteins. Clinical trials are investigating the use of gene therapy for mesothelioma.
Photodynamic therapy: This is a type of treatment that uses light and a photosensitizing agent to kill cancer cells. Clinical trials are investigating the use of photodynamic therapy for mesothelioma.
How to Find Clinical Trials:
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial for mesothelioma, there are several resources available to help you find trials that may be suitable for you. These include:
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Clinical Trials Search: This online database allows you to search for clinical trials for mesothelioma and other types of cancer. You can search by location, type of cancer, and other criteria.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF): This organization provides information and resources for mesothelioma patients and caregivers, including a clinical trial search tool.
ClinicalTrials.gov: This is a comprehensive database of clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. You can search for mesothelioma trials by keyword, location, and other criteria.
It is important to remember that participating in a clinical trial is a personal decision that should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. Clinical trials may involve risks and side effects, and they may not be suitable for everyone. However, for some patients, participating in a clinical trial may provide access to new and potentially life-saving treatments that are not yet available through standard care.
