Immunotherapy Vaccine Could Change the Game for Mesothelioma Treatment

A recent clinical trial provided some exciting news for patients suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma. According to an article that recently appeared on the website of the medical publication OncologyLive, the immunotherapy vaccine CRS-207 could one day change the way the disease is treated.

A Powerful Combination

One of the researchers affiliated with the CRS-207 study, Dr. Thierry Jahan, spoke at the 2016 European Lung Cancer Conference to report on the progress of the trial. According to the article, he said that CRS-207 helped shrink tumors in 85 percent of the patients who participated, when combined with the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and cisplatin.

There were 38 patients in the trial, all with advanced pleural mesothelioma. They were all given two doses of the vaccine every two weeks, and then given the chemotherapy drugs every three weeks. That regimen was then followed by two more CRS-207 injections at three-week intervals. Not only did the treatment combination help shrink tumors, it also produced minimal side effects.

The trial involved patients in Tampa, Chicago, Philadelphia and Bethesda, MD. Another trial, according to the Dr. Jahan, is in the planning stages. This could eventually help pave the way for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of CRS-207, which could make the drug a part of standard pleural mesothelioma care.

Still a Major Problem

Even though progress in treating mesothelioma is occurring at a rapid rate, we are still far away from a cure. Approximately 3,000 people are still dying from the disease each year.

There is only one known cause of malignant mesothelioma, the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with the disease, Baron & Budd may be able to help you take legal action against the asbestos companies responsible. Please call 855-280-7664 or contact us online to learn more about your potential options.