Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The prognosis for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is typically dire and the treatment options limited. However, recent advancements in clinical trials offer new hope for mesothelioma patients.
Clinical trials are conducted to test new treatments or combinations of treatments for various diseases. For mesothelioma patients, clinical trials offer the potential to access promising treatments that may not yet be available through conventional methods.
Many clinical trials involve combination therapies, which involve the use of two or more treatments in combination to attack the cancer cells. This type of treatment is often more effective than standard treatments, as it can target multiple aspects of the disease.
Immunotherapy is a type of combination therapy that has been the focus of many clinical trials. This type of treatment works by stimulating the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer. It is often used alongside chemotherapy and other treatments to maximize the effectiveness of the therapy.
The results of clinical trials for mesothelioma have been encouraging. For instance, a recent study of a combination therapy involving the drugs Keytruda and chemotherapy showed that it was able to extend the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients by up to 12 months compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.
Another study tested a combination of two immunotherapies, Opdivo and Yervoy, in combination with chemotherapy. The results showed that the combination therapy was able to extend the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients by up to 18 months compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.
Clinical trials are also exploring the potential of targeted therapies to treat mesothelioma. Targeted therapies work by targeting specific genetic mutations in cancer cells, which can be more effective than traditional treatments.
In addition to combination therapies and targeted therapies, clinical trials are also looking at the potential of using gene therapy to treat mesothelioma. This involves using genetic material from healthy cells to replace the mutated cells in the cancer, in order to stop the cancer from growing.
The results of clinical trials for mesothelioma offer new hope for those living with this devastating disease. While it is not yet possible to cure mesothelioma, clinical trials are helping to identify new treatments that can extend the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients and improve their quality of life.