Experimental Drug Provides Hope for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma patients battle some of the most difficult odds when facing treatment options. Although much advancement has been made, survival rates for the asbestos-related disease remain staggeringly low when compared to most other cancers. Many patients are not diagnosed until their mesothelioma is in the later stages. Consequently, this rare and aggressive cancer is difficult to treat once it has advanced past the early stages. Researchers have remained dedicated, and there have been several breakthroughs in both detection and treatment methods, specifically in the field of immunotherapy. Now, a new experimental drug may help curb the adverse side affects associated with mesothelioma treatment.

Currently, mesothelioma doctors typically use a multi-modal approach of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatment. The combination of treatments is quite aggressive, and can lead to adverse side affects such as nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Researchers recently gave the experimental drug Enobosarm, to patients receiving these cancer treatments and reported a significant decrease in muscle loss.

Dr. Adrian Dobs, Professor of Medicine and Oncology and Vice Chair of Medicine at John Hopkins University headed the clinical trial and discovered that male and female cancer patients had significant improvement in muscle mass and power when treated with Enobosarm.

In the Phase IIb clinical trial, Dr. Dobs conducted a randomized test with 159 subjects given either Enobosarm or a placebo for a total of 16 weeks. Enobosarm is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), a non-steroidal drug that produces the anabolic effect in bone and muscle without causing the negative prostate effects in men or hair growth in women that is associated with steroidal treatment.

Phase III of the trial will test the effects of a 3mg/day dosage of Enobosarm for the prevention and treatment of muscle wasting in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The introduction of a drug like Enobosarm could greatly improve the health of mesothelioma patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Baron and Budd has been committed to the advancement of mesothelioma research and treatment and is thrilled to see improvement in drug options for mesothelioma patients. The firm is proud of its work with organizations like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Cure Media Group as well as several others, and it committed to relating any relevant information to the people affected by mesothelioma.