Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Researchers from China explored whether immunotherapy or chemotherapy was a better option as a second-line treatment for relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). There is currently no standard of care for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that comes back after initial treatment. Because of this, it can be hard for doctors to make good care decisions for MPM patients who relapse. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma MPM is a rare but serious cancer that grows on the lining of the lungs. It is caused by exposure to a toxic substance called asbestos. A healthy pleura is thin and flexible and expands to accommodate the lungs during respiration. In a person with mesothelioma, this membrane becomes thick and stiff, constricting the lungs and causing shortness … Continue reading Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma »

Mesothelioma Response to Immunotherapy

Mesothelioma Response to Immunotherapy

A new study published in Frontiers in Immunology shows that doctors may be able to tell which patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma will respond better to immunotherapy. If doctors can tell which patients will benefit from immunotherapy, they can create better treatment plans for this aggressive type of cancer. Treatment Options Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. It is caused by asbestos and is tough to treat. MPM is a rare cancer, and the standard therapies are limited. This usually involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Mesothelioma patients can move from one type of treatment to another and, if their doctors agree, can sometimes use them in combination. Even with treatment, the … Continue reading Mesothelioma Response to Immunotherapy »

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Treat Mesothelioma

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Treat Mesothelioma

A new study supports the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. The study authors caution that immune checkpoint inhibitors should be used carefully because they can be an expensive treatment. Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. It develops from cells of the mesothelium, the lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. There are approximately 2,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year. Since mesothelioma is so rare, standard treatment options are limited. Standard therapies include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. If more than one of these therapies is used, it may be called multimodal therapy. Immunotherapy has emerged in … Continue reading Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Treat Mesothelioma »

Immunotherapy as Effective Second-Line Treatment for Mesothelioma

Effective Second-Line Treatment for Mesothelioma

A study from Taiwan has identified an effective second-line treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. When a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma and begins treatment, the first treatment is called the “first-line treatment.” If that treatment does not work or stops working, a “second-line treatment” is given to the patient. For mesothelioma, treatment usually consists of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The exact treatment plan will depend on many factors. Doctors will consider the type of mesothelioma, the condition of the patient, and how much the cancer has spread. A common first-line treatment for mesothelioma patients is chemotherapy with drugs called pemetrexed and cisplatin. When this treatment works properly, it stops cancer cells from growing and multiplying. It is for patients whose … Continue reading Immunotherapy as Effective Second-Line Treatment for Mesothelioma »

Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma

Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma

A new study suggests that immune checkpoint therapy with nivolumab is a promising treatment for a specific type of mesothelioma. The study authors describe three cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma being treated with nivolumab at Kyoto University Hospital in Japan. A Deadly Form of Mesothelioma There are three types of malignant pleural mesothelioma. They each respond differently to mesothelioma treatments. One of these types is sarcomatoid mesothelioma and it is the rarest type of mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma cells are slender ovals with large or even multiple nuclei. Because these cells are spindle-shaped, this type of mesothelioma is sometimes called spindle-cell mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is an especially deadly form of the disease. This type grows and spreads faster than the other … Continue reading Immune Checkpoint Therapy for Mesothelioma »

10 New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma

10 New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) organized a multidisciplinary panel of experts to develop new clinical practice guidelines on the use of immunotherapy in mesothelioma treatment. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment. It uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy has changed lung cancer care in recent years. It can help some patients survive longer. There is a new type of immune treatment called Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ICI’s are used to treat patients with mesothelioma. The use of ICIs to treat mesothelioma tumors has quickly become part of clinical practice. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block mesothelioma’s natural resistance to immune system Challenges remain on how to identify patients who might benefit from ICIs. A panel of … Continue reading 10 New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma »

A Bright Future for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Mesothelioma Treatment

A Bright Future for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Mesothelioma Treatment

A new report shows that immune checkpoint inhibitors can be a practical and rational therapeutic approach to treating mesothelioma patients. The use of ICIs to treat human tumors has quickly become part of clinical practice. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block mesothelioma’s natural resistance to immune system attack. They are among the most promising approaches to combating this intractable cancer. Researchers from the Cellular and Molecular Research Center report the use of ICIs in tumor immunotherapy. What is Tumor Immunotherapy? Malignant mesothelioma is a frustrating disease for patients and doctors. Conventional cancer treatments often do not work. If cancer recurs, doctors can try other approved treatments, even if they are not part of the official treatment guidelines. Immunotherapy is also referred to … Continue reading A Bright Future for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Mesothelioma Treatment »

Adoptive Cell Therapy and Interventional Oncology in Mesothelioma

Adoptive Cell Therapy in Mesothelioma

New data suggests that adoptive cell therapy is a powerful, targeted way to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is a deadly cancer of the lining around the lungs. It is caused by asbestos exposure and is notoriously difficult to treat. Now, a new study suggests that cell therapy may help mesothelioma drug treatments work even better. What is Adoptive Cell Therapy? Adoptive cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy treatments harness the immune system to help fight cancer. Immunotherapy works alone or in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy or surgery. Many researchers and doctors believe that immunotherapy is the future of mesothelioma treatment. This therapy is a more targeted way to deliver these cancer-fighting drugs. It does … Continue reading Adoptive Cell Therapy and Interventional Oncology in Mesothelioma »

Understanding CAR T-Cell Therapy in Malignant Mesothelioma

Understanding CAR T-Cell Therapy in Malignant Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma

One of the new therapies for mesothelioma is called antigen receptor T-cell therapy. It gives promise to malignant mesothelioma patients. This unique therapy has recently shown that it works in phase I clinical trials. A new report from French scientists details the current state of this therapy. This therapy has only been tested in a highly selected patient population. And it requires highly complex engineering. Yet, the treatment therapy shows promise. Adapting CAR T-Cell Therapy to Mesothelioma Malignant pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are rare and aggressive cancers. They have had limited treatment options with moderate survival benefits. And all treatments have an impaired quality of life for a very long period. A chemotherapy drug combination known as cisplatin–pemetrexed has been … Continue reading Understanding CAR T-Cell Therapy in Malignant Mesothelioma »

Maximizes Your Immune Cell Response with High-Intensity Exercise

High-Intensity Exercise Maximizes Immune Cell Response

There is an increasing role of high-intensity exercise training in cancer care. Evidence suggests that exercise can reduce side effects of treatment. And it has the added benefits of improving physical functioning and quality of life. Exercise leads to an increase of adrenalin, which also triggers a patient’s natural immune response. This can alter the tumor microenvironment and lead to reduced tumor growth. New data suggest that exercise could improve immune responses against cancer cells. It works by increasing immune cell infiltration to the tumor. And it may have an impact on disease progression. A new clinical trial has been initiated. It will investigate if high-intensity exercise can benefit patients with lung cancer. Can adrenalin mobilize and increase the infiltration … Continue reading Maximizes Your Immune Cell Response with High-Intensity Exercise »

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