By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    mosquito misting spray to fight malaria
    Avoid Malaria with Mosquito Misting Systems
    June 12, 2023
    Medical Surveys
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    Glutathione
    What Are The Benefits of Glutathione?
    January 22, 2024
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tips for Older Travelers
    April 14, 2012
    Anti-RUC Suit Challenges Process for Setting Doc Pay Scales
    October 25, 2011
    Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
    May 1, 2012
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Mesothelioma Awareness Day: How Clinical Trials Make A Difference
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Mesothelioma Awareness Day: How Clinical Trials Make A Difference
Specialties

Mesothelioma Awareness Day: How Clinical Trials Make A Difference

Jamie Smith
Jamie Smith
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
  • A Difficult Disease to Diagnose
  • The Breakthrough Behind Immunotherapy
  • Progress in Gene Therapy

Each year, September 26th marks Mesothelioma Awareness Day, a time devoted to educating the public on this rare form of cancer and extending support to anyone that has been affected by the disease. A mesothelioma diagnosis is exceptionally rare and has placed the spotlight on targeted therapies within clinical trials in order to improve the poor prognosis. While many of these treatments are still in the experimental stages, certain therapies have shown success in improving patient survival rates and are making progress toward becoming a standard form of treatment.

A Difficult Disease to Diagnose

The only confirmed cause of mesothelioma is the worldwide use of asbestos; a fibrous mineral that is found throughout the natural environment in soil and rocks. When this mineral is disturbed, thousands of fibers can be released into the air. If inhaled, these fibers can cause internal scarring and may eventually lead to an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma. Although this disease can affect the lining of the heart and abdominal cavity, around 80 percent of cases occur in the lining of the lungs.

The cancer continues to present a challenge for patients and healthcare professionals. In some instances, patients do not know when or how they were exposed to asbestos and mesothelioma symptoms can suppress themselves for over 40 years, making an official diagnosis difficult to pinpoint. Usually, the cancer has progressed to the advanced stages by the time a physician identifies mesothelioma, leaving patients with less than one year to live. While the standard form of treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation, targeted therapies are becoming critical to finding a way to improve survival rate.

More Read

Aesthetic Practitioner
5 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Clients As An Aesthetic Practitioner
Debunking The Myths About Orthodontics
Seven Common Plastic Surgery Complications People Tend To Ignore
5 Ways To Manage Injuries After A Vehicular Accident
7 Most Unnoticeable Yet Helpful Remedies for Lower Back Pain

The Breakthrough Behind Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has made a name for itself within the field of oncology and continues to deliver encouraging outcomes for cancer patients. This treatment uses the body’s own immune system to recognize and fight off cancer cells. There are several forms of immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, and other non-specific immunotherapies.

Drug therapies targeting the PD-L1 protein have demonstrated success for many cancers, including malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) . Studies have found it to be effective for pleural mesothelioma patients as adjuvant drug therapies along with the standard multimodal approach. Pembrolizumab specifically targets PD-L1 and has shown promising results for MPM patients. However, more research is needed to make this a viable option not only for MPM patients, but for patients suffering with any form of mesothelioma.

Lastly, immunotherapy surrounding (CAR) T cells are also in effect for pleural mesothelioma patients, in which the patient’s immune cells are genetically modified to identify certain antigens within cancer cells.

Progress in Gene Therapy

Gene therapy introduces healthy genes into tumor cells to combat cancerous mutations and has shown potential for mesothelioma patients as well. This therapy is ultimately meant to reduce side effects of harsh treatments, such as chemotherapy, and improve their overall success. It’s worth noting that gene therapy has only been FDA-approved since 2017 and is only available through clinical trials.

Popular gene therapy methods for mesothelioma include oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes such as BAP1 and Neurofibromin (NF2). Researchers have specifically focused on a mutation in the tumor suppressor gene known as BAP1, which is often found in the chromosomes of patients who have a genetic predisposition for malignant pleural mesothelioma. There is also some research into “suicide gene therapy,” which is a form of chemotherapy that could target all infected cells through vector application. This would target all cancer cells and effectively kill them off without harming healthy cells, however, it has not been fully developed.

Researchers are also currently looking into immunogene therapy, where genetic material from a virus is used to stimulate a patient’s immune system to destroy cancer cells. Combining these immune stimulants through viral vectors has made some progress among mesothelioma patients, shrinking tumors and stabilizing their conditions.

Many clinical trials are still in the experimental stages and require patients to sign up and be accepted for treatment. This may require a patient to meet specific standards to be eligible, which is why it’s important to discuss your options with your primary physician. Despite the severity of mesothelioma, research among targeted therapies and clinical trials have shown a promising future for patients suffering from this aggressive cancer. Although alternative treatments may not be effective in all cases, it can help doctors determine the best combination of treatments for patients diagnosed with this often fatal disease, among so many others.

TAGGED:cancer treatmentclinical trialsmesothelioma
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Specialties

3 Ways To Help Fix Plantar Fasciitis

December 10, 2020

Boomer Voice: How Old Should the Avatar on My Website Be?

June 26, 2013
Addiction-Treatment
SpecialtiesWellness

How is Medication Used in Treating Drug Addiction?

December 6, 2017
CMS delays final rule
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawRadiology

CMS Delays 2014 Final Rule

November 25, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?