Exploring Cutting-Edge Treatments for Pleural Mesothelioma
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Exploring Cutting-Edge Treatments for Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study looks at the current treatments available for people with mesothelioma. The authors of this overview are based in Italy at the University of Bologna. Advancements in Mesothelioma Treatment Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers internal organs. When mesothelioma grows in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. This aggressive cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a toxic mineral found in nature. It can be used in manufacturing and construction materials and is illegal in many countries. Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer, and the symptoms can be like many other diseases. This makes it hard for doctors to make a diagnosis. For mesothelioma…

Unlocking the Role of Osteopontin in Mesothelioma Tumor Growth
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Unlocking the Role of Osteopontin in Mesothelioma Tumor Growth

ByHolly Zink

Scientists have discovered that a protein called osteopontin is found in higher levels in mesothelioma tumors than in normal tissues. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of some organs in the body. It is caused by exposure to tiny fibers called asbestos. When these fibers are breathed in, they can get stuck in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Over time, they can cause cancerous cells to grow there. Mesothelioma is also very rare. This means that doctors and scientists are still learning about how this cancer grows and the best ways to treat it. The current treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. These treatments are not always effective, so scientists are…

The Power of the Immune System in Mesothelioma Therapy
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The Power of the Immune System in Mesothelioma Therapy

ByHolly Zink

Pembrolizumab is a type of immunotherapy treatment for mesothelioma. A newly published study looks at how pembrolizumab is being used to treat this disease. Harnessing the Power of the Immune System Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos. When it grows in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. There are about 2,000 cases of pleural mesothelioma in the United States each year. It can often take around 40 years for symptoms of pleural mesothelioma to begin. These may include shortness of breath due to fluid around the lung, chest pain, cough, and fatigue. Conventional treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. According to medical studies, the median survival with conventional treatment is little more than a…

The Power of Immunotherapy: T Cells and Mesothelioma Treatment
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The Power of Immunotherapy: T Cells and Mesothelioma Treatment

ByHolly Zink

Mesothelioma patients with more immune cells called CD8+ T cells might respond better to immunotherapy. This is the finding of a team of scientists from Japan. Their study was published in the scientific journal Thoracic Cancer. Typical Treatment Plan Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is both rare and aggressive. It grows in the cells lining the surface of organs like the lungs. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to a toxic mineral called asbestos. Because it is rare and grows quickly, mesothelioma can be hard for doctors to diagnose and treat. A patient usually needs to have many tests before a doctor can diagnose them with mesothelioma. This can include imaging scans, blood tests, and biopsies. Once mesothelioma has…

Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
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Treating Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

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…

Mesothelioma Response to Immunotherapy
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Mesothelioma Response to Immunotherapy

ByHolly Zink

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…

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Treat Mesothelioma
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Treat Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

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…

Immunotherapy as Effective Second-Line Treatment for Mesothelioma
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Immunotherapy as Effective Second-Line Treatment for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

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…

Cost Comparison of Immunotherapy vs. Traditional Chemotherapy in Mesothelioma
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Cost Comparison of Immunotherapy vs. Traditional Chemotherapy in Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

A new study does a cost comparison of immunotherapy over traditional chemotherapy. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are common in the first-line treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. The news came from Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology. Traditional Chemotherapy In 2004, the FDA approved pemetrexed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Pemetrexed is often taken together with cisplatin. It is for patients whose disease is either inoperable or who are not candidates for surgery. Pemetrexed + cisplatin/carboplatin are chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy is a group of toxic drugs that kill cells by damaging their DNA. They target both cancerous and healthy cells. Patients with this chemo regimen also take folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements. This helps to reduce side effects from the…

10 New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma
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10 New Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

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…