Strong Justice For Serious Disease

Drug study shows promising results for those with mesothelioma

On Behalf of | Jul 26, 2021 | Mesothelioma

A promising study shows that a specific combination of drugs might offer hope for people in Pennsylvania who are suffering from advanced mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining. While mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining is rarer than pleural mesothelioma, the treatment regimen is largely the same. In the early stages of the disease, platinum chemotherapy is used as a first-line treatment. However, when the cancer is at an advanced stage, there currently is not a recommended treatment for mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining.

Drug combination may be effective

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center conducted a phase II study of patients with advanced-stage mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining. The participants were treated with a combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Patients who were treated with this drug combination progressed to the next stage at an average of 17.6 months as compared to patients who received regular chemotherapy treatment at an average of 8.3 months.

The researchers also found that the patients who received the drug combination tolerated it well with the most commonly reported side effects being anemia and edema. The participants who received the drug combination also showed a lack of disease progression and a survival rate at 12 months of 85%. Among the group that did not receive the drug combination but did receive chemotherapy, the progression-free and survival rate was 61%.

The results from the phase II study are promising for people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining. Few studies have focused on people with this type of mesothelioma. The disease is normally not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage, and it affects people who are younger. Since this type of mesothelioma is very aggressive, finding a new combination of drugs that might work to improve the chances of survival is good news for those who are diagnosed with this type of cancer.

People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos might be entitled to pursue compensation. There are some established mesothelioma funds for people diagnosed with this disease following asbestos exposure, and people might also be able to file lawsuits to recover damages.

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