Exploring a New Cell-Based Therapy to Treat Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, can be very difficult to treat. But researchers have a new model for a cell-based therapy with Paclitaxel. New results were recently published in Biochemical Pharmacology.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Malignant mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and chest wall. It can often take around 40 years for pleural mesothelioma to be diagnosed. Imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans may help in the diagnosis, but a tissue biopsy usually confirms the disease.

In this latest study, researchers used two tools. They used a group of human cells called mesenchymal stromal cells. And, they used Paclitaxel, a medicine used to fight cancer.

Mesenchymal stromal cells can do different jobs, like making new cells and helping with healing. These cells come from parts like bones or fat. Scientists are excited about them because they can do different jobs, like making new cells and helping with healing. These cells could also help treat cancers!

Paclitaxel is a strong medicine used to fight cancer. In this study, the researchers are checking out how Paclitaxel can stop mesothelioma cells from growing. The scientists put Paclitaxel inside mesenchymal stromal cells. This team-up was even better at stopping the cancer cells than Paclitaxel alone.

This new Advanced Medicinal Therapy Product is already approved for a Phase I clinical trial on mesothelioma patients in Italy. The Italian Drug Agency has expressed interest in the procedure for clinical use. If the clinical trial goes well, this special mix of cells and Paclitaxel could become a new way to fight mesothelioma.

Source

Coccè, V., Bonelli, M., La Monica, S., Alfieri, R., Doneda, L., Martegani, E., Alessandri, G., Lagrasta, C. A., Giannì, A., Sordi, V., Petrella, F., Roncoroni, L., Paino, F., & Pessina, A. (2023). Mesenchymal stromal cells loaded with Paclitaxel (PacliMES) a potential new therapeutic approach on mesothelioma. Biochemical Pharmacology, 214, 115678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115678