Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Insights from the MARS 2 Study

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Insights from the MARS 2 Study

ByHolly Zink

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer. It affects the chest wall’s lining, linked to asbestos exposure. Each year, over 2,500 in the United Kingdom are diagnosed. The disease has a poor outlook and limited treatments. The MARS 2 study investigated if adding surgery to chemotherapy could enhance survival. A new article delves into challenges in recruiting for RCTs, like MARS 2. It also highlights these trials’ crucial role in medical research and treatment progress. Challenges in Recruiting for RCTs Recruiting for RCTs is tough, especially for studies comparing surgery to non-surgery. The MARS 2 study faced many challenges. Patients with mesothelioma often get mixed advice from different doctors. This made recruiting hard. Also, doctors’ biases influenced their willingness…

Mesothelioma Carcinogenesis: Insights from Animal Studies on Chrysotile and Forsterite

Mesothelioma Carcinogenesis: Insights from Animal Studies on Chrysotile and Forsterite

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma, a severe cancer caused by asbestos, remains a global health issue. Specifically, chrysotile asbestos is common and very harmful. Recent research compared the cancer risks of chrysotile and a heat-treated form, forsterite. A new study is valuable for safer asbestos disposal in the future. Comparing Chrysotile and Forsterite A recent study checked if forsterite, made from heating chrysotile, could cause mesothelioma. They injected chrysotile, forsterite (FO-1000), and enstatite (EN-1500) into rats’ abdomens. Then, they studied mesothelioma development for 24 months. The results were clear. In the chrysotile group, 91.2% of rats developed peritoneal mesothelioma. However, no mesothelioma cases were found in the forsterite and enstatite groups. The study also measured urine 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and blood N-ERC/mesothelin levels. Both were higher…

The Power of First-in-Human Trials: A Glimpse into Zelenirstat’s Impact on Mesothelioma
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The Power of First-in-Human Trials: A Glimpse into Zelenirstat’s Impact on Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

The journey towards a breakthrough cancer treatment often begins with groundbreaking trials. Zelenirstat is a cutting-edge drug currently under study. It has shown promise in its first-ever trial involving mesothelioma patients. These are significant first steps in paving the way for potential new treatments. A First-In-Human Trial Scientists are exploring a new treatment, Zelenirstat for tough cancers like mesothelioma. They tested this treatment on 21 patients with various cancers. This was in a special trial called a “first-in-human” trial. They gave different doses of Zelenirstat, starting from 20 mg to 280 mg every day, to see if it could help. A “first-in-human” trial refers to the initial stage of testing a new drug or treatment in people. Before any medication…

Stronger Mesothelioma Clinical Trials for Better Results
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Stronger Mesothelioma Clinical Trials for Better Results

ByHolly Zink

A commentary by an international team of researchers raises some concerns about how clinical cancer trials are conducted. The authors of the commentary hail from Israel, Italy, Ireland, and the United States. They claim that there is a need for better balance between the cost of new cancer drugs and their actual benefit to patients. The authors came to this conclusion after analyzing clinical trials for treatments for pleural mesothelioma. Gold Standard for Mesothelioma Treatments Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It most often appears in older adults and is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a toxic material that can be found in industrial and consumer products. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a specific type of mesothelioma. It…

The RARECARE Project: An International Network Includes Mesothelioma
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The RARECARE Project: An International Network Includes Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

The RARECARE Project is a network of international clinicians who support rare tumor patients. This includes malignant mesothelioma, the asbestos-caused cancer. RARECARE wants to ensure access to clinical trials. And to the second opinion of cancer specialists. They are working towards guaranteeing equal health care access and better care management. Humble Beginnings In 2008, the European Commission started the RARECARE project. It is a cancer registry with patient data. They are trying to define the incidence, prevalence, and outcome of rare cancers. Soon, the RARECARE registry led to a second project, RARECAREnet. This updated and enlarged the available information on rare cancers in Europe. Mesothelioma remains one of the rarest of rare cancers. It is more common in the UK…

Expert Says Malignant Mesothelioma Research ‘Turned a Corner’ in 2021
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Expert Says Malignant Mesothelioma Research ‘Turned a Corner’ in 2021

ByAlex Strauss

An internationally-known mesothelioma specialist says 2021 has been one of the best years yet for malignant mesothelioma research, giving patients and their families more reason than ever to be hopeful.  Hedy Lee Kindler, MD, is Director of the University of Chicago Medical Center’s Mesothelioma Program. In a commentary in JCO Oncology Practice, Dr. Kindler says the outlook for mesothelioma sufferers this year is “far brighter than it has been for a very long time.” Dr. Kindler points to several recent advances in malignant mesothelioma research and treatment as reasons for optimism. The FDA approved the second systemic therapy for mesothelioma in late 2020. This year saw five positive mesothelioma clinical trials.  Kindler says these advances suggest that the future may…

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Are Minorities Underrepresented?
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Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Are Minorities Underrepresented?

ByAlex Strauss

The results of a new study from Harvard and Dana Farber Cancer Institute raise the question of whether ethnic minorities are being fairly represented in mesothelioma clinical trials. The study focused on four of the most common types of cancer in the US: breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer.  It looked at demographic data for close to 6,000 people enrolled in precision oncology trials for these cancers. Researchers found that clinical trials tend to favor white and Asian patients over Hispanic and black patients.  The study could have implications for mesothelioma clinical trials of new, tailored treatments.  Precision Oncology and Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Malignant mesothelioma is a challenging cancer to treat. Mesothelioma cells are good at protecting themselves from damaging…

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Eligibility May Be Too Strict, Study Finds
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Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Eligibility May Be Too Strict, Study Finds

ByAlex Strauss

A new Australian study suggests that too many people are being left out of mesothelioma clinical trials under current trial rules.  The researchers say that eligibility requirements around pleural mesothelioma studies are too strict. The result is that many people never have the opportunity to take advantage of investigational treatments only available through studies.  In addition, the trial data gathered may not really apply to average mesothelioma patients. The Australian researchers are calling for changes that will let more people qualify for mesothelioma clinical trials.  What Are Mesothelioma Clinical Trials? Pleural mesothelioma is an intractable cancer of the lining around the lungs. People who get it usually worked in an industry that exposed them to asbestos. Once asbestos gets in…

Mesothelioma Patients Encouraged to Seek Out Clinical Trials
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Mesothelioma Patients Encouraged to Seek Out Clinical Trials

ByAlex Strauss

Two cancer experts from MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas say patients with mesothelioma should be encouraged to take part in clinical trials, not only to help themselves, but to help others who may develop the disease. In a new opinion article in Current Treatment Options in Oncology, radiation oncologist Daniel Gomez, MD, and medical oncologist Anne Tsao, MD, say the success of these trials depends on participation by mesothelioma patients.  “Advances in the field of MPM are reliant on participation in clinical trials and identifying biomarkers that are predictive for response to systemic therapies and prognostic for survival benefit,” they write. The authors detail the tri-modality therapy approach which is currently the gold standard for the…