Spread of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Slows with Apatinib
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Spread of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Slows with Apatinib

ByAlex Strauss

An investigational drug called apatinib may help stop the growth and spread of peritoneal mesothelioma. Chinese researchers recently tested the VEGF inhibitor on mice infected with human mesothelioma.  They found that the spread of peritoneal mesothelioma slowed way down in the presence of apatinib. The drug worked in the lab and in live mice with few serious side effects. If larger experiments confirm apatinib’s effectiveness, the next step could be trials in human mesothelioma patients.  Apatinib Blocks Blood Vessel Formation Apatinib is also known as Rivoceranib. It keeps cancer cells from using the protein VEGF. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) allows tumors to spawn new blood vessels. A rich supply of fresh blood fuels the growth and spread of peritoneal…

Cediranib for Mesothelioma: VEGF Inhibitor Fails Another Trial
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Cediranib for Mesothelioma: VEGF Inhibitor Fails Another Trial

ByAlex Strauss

Cediranib for mesothelioma appears to be ruled out by another failed clinical trial.  A new study led by MD Anderson researchers concludes that the VEGF inhibitor causes too many side effects for not enough survival benefit.  It is a blow to researchers hoping to use cediranib for mesothelioma patients on chemotherapy.  Cutting Off Tumor Blood Supply Cediranib is an oral drug made by AstraZeneca. It is part of a class of drugs called VEGF inhibitors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein that stimulates blood vessel formation in tumors. Research shows that mesothelioma patients who have higher serum levels of VEGF have a lower chance of survival.  VEGF inhibitors like cediranib latch onto VEGF receptors inside mesothelioma cells….

Ofev Shelved as a Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma
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Ofev Shelved as a Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma

ByAlex Strauss

It is official – the VEGF inhibitor Ofev is out of the running as a treatment for pleural mesothelioma. Hopes had been high for this drug after initial results showed a survival advantage. For the last two years, Ofev (nintedanib) was the subject of a large, international clinical trial. But now the leaders of that trial have published their Phase III trial results in The Lancet: Respiratory Medicine. They show that Ofev did not extend survival and is not an effective treatment for pleural mesothelioma. Why Hopes Were High for Ofev Ofev is an oral medication that stops cancer cells from producing a protein called VEGF. VEGF promotes the growth of blood vessels that help mesothelioma tumors grow. VEGF may…