New drug study raises hope as mesothelioma tumors shrink

On Behalf of | Jul 30, 2020 | mesothelioma |

In some good news for Illinois cancer patients and those around the country, according to the National Cancer Institute, the new drug LMB-100 offers some hope. Mesothelioma is a rare, difficult to treat cancer that alters the thin-membrane cells surrounding the heart, lungs or other organs. Some cancer treatment drugs bind a protein called mesothelin to mesothelioma cancer cells. The medication teaches the immune system to recognize mesothelin protein as foreign and attack the cancerous cells.

On July 1, 2020, Science Translational Medicine shared the results of a small mesothelioma study involving 10 mesothelioma patients. The new mesothelioma drug study reveals that mesothelin-targeting LMB-100 may prolong the life of some individuals with advanced disease. PET scan results show that LMB-100 combined with immunotherapy caused mesothelioma tumors to shrink.

During the study, the 10 patients received LMB-100 and immune inhibitors pembrolizumab or nivolumab. The combination treatment may boost the immune system’s ability to attack mesothelioma cells. Some patients saw a more significant immune response from the combined therapy. Four of the patients responded positively to the mesothelioma treatment, including one complete response and three partial.

Since the trial involved a small number of patients, it is possible that pembrolizumab, instead of the combination treatment, caused a positive response. Doctors are performing a more extensive study to determine the validity of using LMB-100 plus an immune checkpoint blockade to treat mesothelin solid tumors.

If you or a loved one have worked with asbestos products and are battling mesothelioma, you need and deserve financial retribution and the best medical care. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist you in taking action against the companies that placed you and your family at risk.