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Researchers have discovered a new way to enhance chemotherapy treatment of pleural mesothelioma.
Currently, the standard of care for malignant pleural mesothelioma is to treat it with a combination of chemotherapy drugs called pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin. Although this is the standard, the illness rarely responds well to these treatments, as it is effective in only about four of ten patients.
Researchers have discovered a metal called RAPTA-T compound, that can be added to the cisplatin to make it more effective; and they have seen some success in mice.
The RAPTA-T increases the uptake of chemotherapy drugs, since it enhances the vascularization of the tumors. This allows the chemotherapy to reach the tumors more easily through the increased blood flow and better oxygenation of the tumor. When that occurs, the tumor is able to absorb the toxin of the chemotherapy more easily, which inhibits tumor growth.
Researchers are essentially making the tumor “healthier,” in a sense, by increasing blood flow in order to advance the treatment into tumors. This is because some tumors have an abnormal vascular structure which restricts blood flow and can create high pressure. With this treatment, the tumors were also found to be less likely to metastasize than without it.
This is ground-breaking, since there has historically been a very low success rate when treating mesothelioma. Many reports show that the median survival rate is about twelve months. This total time includes about five months from diagnosis until the time when the disease begins to progress. This is part of the reason why mesothelioma is regarded as quite deadly.
Additionally, this research suggests that there may be fewer negative side effects with RAPTA-T than with the treatments that were used previously.
The research also suggests that the treatment can also be used palliatively for advanced mesothelioma.
Additionally, this treatment can be combined with surgery, radiation and immunotherapy. This could be important news for many sufferers of pleural mesothelioma, when they feel as though they have very little time to live after the initial diagnosis.
Mesothelioma is normally caused by being exposed to a contaminated product, usually asbestos, in the workplace or otherwise. Often, employers were aware at some point about the possibility of exposure to contaminated products.
Plaintiffs should know that they are not alone, and that there are many others in our region who are also facing mesothelioma, and considering when and whether to bring a lawsuit against any entities responsible for their exposure to contaminated products.
If you or a loved one contracted Mesothelioma, and you suspect that it could be related to exposure to a product in your home or in your workplace, Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler can evaluate your case. We strive to seek maximum recovery for our clients. To make an appointment in our Philadelphia office, call us at 215-569-4000, or contact us online to provide you with legal advice concerning your situation today.