New Mesothelioma Trial Uses Combination Drugs
I’m Ed Smith, an El Dorado Hills mesothelioma lawyer. A new drug trial to test a treatment for mesothelioma was recently announced. The combination drug may be effective against pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.
What Are Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer caused by asbestos. Malignant tumors form in the lining of the wall of the chest and the lungs. This lining is called the pleura. It makes up 80 to 90 percent of all mesothelioma-related cancers. Pleural mesothelioma occurs when asbestos is inhaled, and it has a lag time before developing symptoms of up to 50 years. It causes chest pain and shortness of breath. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen. Cancer grows there after a similar lag time and causes swelling of the stomach and pain.
Cell Types
There are three cell types found in mesothelioma. They are epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic. When a tumor is checked for its composition, epithelial cells are found most often and take longer than other types to spread. They respond best to treatment. Sarcomatoid cells spread easily. The latter make up only 10 percent of mesothelioma tumors. Biphasic forms are a combination of the two other types of cells.
New Trial
The new phase I clinical trial is testing a combination therapy for mesothelioma called SEL-403. It combines two agents, an immune system suppressing agent called SVP-Rapamycin and an antitumor agent called LMB-100.
How It Works
Mesothelioma tumor cells produce a protein called mesothelin in approximately 90 percent of all cases. Immunotoxins, such as LMB-100, prevent the development of these proteins, which in turn causes the tumor cells to perish.
The immunotoxin (LMB-100) is a substance that is foreign to the human body. The immune system responds by destroying what it sees as foreign invaders. In this case, the immune system gets in the way of tumor destruction. Adding SVP-Rapamycin, the immune-suppressing agent, to the mix stops the damage of the immunotoxin.
Requirements to Be Included in the Study
To be allowed into this study, a mesothelioma patient must have already received at least one course of chemotherapy. The patient must be at least 18 years old and have a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Cancer must be made up of biphasic or epithelial cells and not be treatable with surgery. The patient must have no other options for a cure.
Side Effect
One significant side effect is a condition that causes proteins and fluid to drain from small blood vessels into the surrounding body tissues. This is called systemic capillary leak syndrome. Fluid can build up in the abdomen and lungs. Medication is used to eliminate the fluid.
Mesothelioma Fronts
Mesothelioma is indeed a deadly disease that is difficult to treat. However, with the efforts of dedicated scientists, there is progress in the way it is managed. However, asbestos exposure is able to be fought on another front – the legal one. At my law firm, we will examine your case, and build a plan to obtain just compensation. We commonly deal with serious injuries involving our clients. We will put the same level of dedication to work on helping you.
El Dorado Hills Mesothelioma Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an El Dorado Hills mesothelioma lawyer. New clinical trials are a hopeful sign of things to come. However, it is essential that an individual with this disease have the funds necessary to live with mesothelioma. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, friendly and free advice. You can contact me online too.
I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates, a group of trial lawyers with verdicts and settlements of more than $1 million for past clients. I am proud of this because of the settlements and verdicts I have been able to bring to my clients.
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