Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer for which there is currently no cure however, advanced technology is allowing for the development of new treatments. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the latest treatment options for Mesothelioma cancer…
At any time during a cancer diagnosis, you may experience a number of strong and distressing emotions such as guilt, anxiety, and disbelief. It can be a hard time for everyone involved and even harder if you have to make a mesothelioma claim.
Mesothelioma can be a particularly aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis. The cancer itself is rare and is generally associated with exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma develops in the lining of the outer surface of the lungs and other organs. Sadly, there is no actual cure for Mesothelioma and life expectancy following a diagnosis tends to be between 4 and 18 months.
However, advanced technology is helping to speed up the development of new treatments and in this article, we’ll be looking at the new treatment options for Mesothelioma Cancer…
What are the New Treatment Options for Mesothelioma Cancer?
As we’ve mentioned, science has yet to find a comprehensive cure for this disease and, until recently, treatment has been fairly reactive. In the last few years, new treatments are being developed which may help Mesothelioma patients enjoy a better quality of life for longer and in this section, we’ll take a look at some of these:
Immunotoxins
Mesothelioma researchers have been conducting tests on patients to establish the impact of immunotoxins on the disease. These are unique compounds which are able to disrupt essential survival processes at a cellular level and are therefore able to ‘kill’ cancer cells. During the testing, it was found that patients displayed a 74% reduction in tumour volume – a reduction which was still present after a 15 month follow up. Researchers are now rolling out their testing to a larger group of patients.
Gene therapy
This type of treatment harnesses the power of bioengineering techniques in order to alter the DNA of cells. Using this therapy, it is possible to produce interferon-alpha proteins which can actually slow the growth of cancer cells and boost the immune system. Initial tests have revealed that this therapy has the potential to extend the life expectancy of a Mesothelioma patient to 26 months.
TT Fields
TT Fields (Tumor Treating Fields) use mild electrical currents to disrupt, slow and even stop cancer at a cellular level. A relatively new therapy, this treatment has proved to be extremely effective for Pleural Mesothelioma patients and it’s reported that, in tests, 57% of test patients experienced a shrinkage of their tumours. Studies and testing of TT Fields treatments are ongoing and have been extended to a wider range of test subjects in 2022.
HSV
A slightly controversial treatment, HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) involves injecting Mesothelioma patients with a modified version of the herpes virus known as HSV-1716. This modified version of the virus is able to kill cancer cells in Mesothelioma patients whilst not affecting healthy cells in the process. For patients, this means a potentially life-extending treatment with little to no side effects.
Molecular therapy
Researchers have recently been conducting tests on the effectiveness of combining chemotherapy with molecular therapy for Mesothelioma patients and so far, the results have been encouraging. Along with the treatment of platinum-based chemotherapy, Mesothelioma patients were also injected with the small molecule known as Ganetespib – a unique resorcinolic triazolone inhibitor of Hsp90. While still in the early stages of testing, it has been shown that this combination of treatments can increase the life expectancy of a patient to around 16.3 months – a small increase on the highest usual life expectancy.
HMGB1
Treating Mesothelioma cancer is, of course, incredibly important but early and accurate diagnosis is equally vital. Until now, diagnostic tools have had limited accuracy and reliability when it comes to detecting asbestos-related diseases, causing devastating delays in treatment. Researchers are currently testing a revolutionary new method of diagnosing Mesothelioma using HMGB1 – a single molecule protein which has shown to be a highly effective diagnostic tool in Mesothelioma patients. The results of this testing are yet to be published.
Science Holds the Key
While the treatments and diagnostics listed in this article are still at the testing stage, initial findings are more than encouraging for Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. The use of previously overlooked proteins and molecules is set to revolutionise treatments not just for Mesothelioma patients but for those suffering from many other types of aggressive cancer. As testing continues, researchers move ever closer to gaining approval for these treatments, followed by distribution to hospitals and medical facilities.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking Mesothelioma cancer advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
Image sources
1.) https://unsplash.com/photos/Pw9aFhc92P8
2.) https://unsplash.com/photos/9vnACvX2748
3.) https://unsplash.com/photos/ahi73ZN5P0Y
