Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are currently ongoing in the effort to find a cure for malignant mesothelioma. These trials are made up of research studies that evaluate possible new treatments effectiveness. safely, in the hope that one day a cure will be found. Although clinical trials offer no guarantee of success and require some degree of risk, they often involve the newest technology and research. In addition, researchers do not undertake these trials without a belief that the results will have some value in treating mesothelioma. Below is a list of current treatment research.

Combination chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs have been combined with successful results in treating other forms of cancer, and show mixed results in treating mesothelioma. Recently, a study was conducted to evaluate the possible benefit of a combination of Cisplatin and Gemcitabine in treating malignant mesothelioma. This drug cocktail was tested on 21 advanced mesothelioma patients, and resulted in forty seven percent showing a partial response to the treatment.

Intracavitary chemotherapy

Research is being conducted on this form of chemotherapy, which instills chemotherapy drugs directly into the pleural or peritoneal spaces. This form may have advantages over traditional chemotherapy as it allows for much higher doses without severe side effects. Recent studies have shown that this treatment may have positive effects on reducing tumor size and controlling pleural effusions.

Brachytherapy

This form of treatment uses radiation therapy within the pleural or peritoneal space. A radioactive substance is typically placed within the cavity.

Multimodality therapy

Multimodality simply refers to a combination of treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to maximize results.

Gene Therapy

This experimental form of treatment uses a genetically tailored virus to attack tumor cells in an effort to make them vulnerable to tumor drugs.

Immunotherapy

This form of treatment attempts to boost the body.s natural immune system in order to better fight cancer cells.

Photodynamic therapy

This treatment utilizes photosensitive drugs, or those which are sensitive to light to saturate tumor cells, which are then exposed to light.