Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, or heart. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction and manufacturing until the 1970s. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, with approximately 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year.
The Mesothelioma Smart Trial is a clinical trial that is currently underway to investigate the effectiveness of a new treatment for mesothelioma. The trial is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and is taking place at multiple sites across the United States.
The Mesothelioma Smart Trial is a Phase II clinical trial, which means that it is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new treatment in a small group of patients. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 90 patients with mesothelioma who have not received any prior treatment for their cancer.
The new treatment being evaluated in the Mesothelioma Smart Trial is a combination of two drugs: pembrolizumab and INCB54828. Pembrolizumab is a type of immunotherapy that works by stimulating the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. INCB54828 is a targeted therapy that inhibits a protein called IDO1, which can help cancer cells evade the immune system.
The Mesothelioma Smart Trial is scheduled to last for approximately three years. During this time, patients will receive treatment with pembrolizumab and INCB54828 and will be monitored closely for any side effects and changes in their cancer. The primary endpoint of the trial is the overall response rate, which is the proportion of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears after treatment.
The expected outcome of the Mesothelioma Smart Trial is to determine whether the combination of pembrolizumab and INCB54828 is effective in treating mesothelioma. If the trial results are positive, it could lead to the development of a new treatment option for patients with mesothelioma who have not responded to standard therapies.
It is important to note that clinical trials are designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments, and there is no guarantee that any particular trial will be successful. However, clinical trials are a critical step in the development of new therapies for cancer and other diseases, and they offer hope to patients who may not have other treatment options.
In conclusion, the Mesothelioma Smart Trial is a Phase II clinical trial that is investigating the effectiveness of a new treatment for mesothelioma. The trial is expected to last for approximately three years and will enroll approximately 90 patients with mesothelioma who have not received any prior treatment for their cancer. The primary endpoint of the trial is the overall response rate, and the expected outcome is to determine whether the combination of pembrolizumab and INCB54828 is effective in treating mesothelioma.
