ONCOS-102 Mesothelioma Clinical Trial Promises Hope

Scandinavian-based Targovax launched the latest immunotherapy clinical trial for pleural mesothelioma, hoping it delivers a better way to treat patients with asbestos-related diseases. The randomized phase Ib/II trial evaluates the performance of ONCOS-102, an engineered human adenovirus designed to induce systemic, anti-tumor responses. Researchers are administering the immunotherapy drug as first-line therapy in combination with chemotherapy using pemetrexed and cisplatin. “Based on what we’ve seen in our first study of patients with various solid tumor types, which is good tolerance and response in a couple of mesothelioma patients, we’re quite hopeful for something positive from this trial,” Dr. Magnus Jaderberg, chief medical officer at Targovax, told Asbestos.com. “There is a lot of excitement.” Doctors will inject ONCOS-102 directly into the tumor lesions of the pleura, the thin lining around the lungs. Each patient in the multicenter trial will receive six treatments in a five-month period. The trial involves 30 mesothelioma patients. How Does ONCOS-102 Work? The virus is engineered to replicate only in tumor cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. That process breaks down cancer cells, which release specific tumor signals picked up by immune cells. Those immune cells then find and attack the tumor. Because ONCOS-102 is derived from an adenovirus, it produces minor flu-like symptoms, such as chills and fevers, which may last a few days. Impressive Tum...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: immunotherapy clinical trial immunotherapy for cancer mesothelioma mesothelioma clinical trials mesothelioma immunotherapy ONCOS 102 Source Type: news