Sugarbaker: Mesothelioma Clinical Trial May Be ‘ Home Run ’

Thoracic surgeon and mesothelioma visionary Dr. David Sugarbaker already is thinking two steps ahead, anticipating the optimal utilization of this latest clinical trial drug combination. That’s what leaders do. A phase II, multicenter clinical trial involving the antibody-drug conjugate anetumab ravtansine (BAY 94-9343) for patients with stage IV pleural mesothelioma opened recently with considerable expectations, raising hopes around the country. The drug combines immunotherapy with cytotoxic therapy and targets mesothelin, a vulnerable tumor surface protein found in most mesothelioma patients. Earlier studies show the drug’s impressive effectiveness as a second-line treatment for tumors that progress after standard chemotherapy. Sugarbaker wants to take it a step further. “My approach would be to take this into the operating room. Imagine a complete macroscopic cytoreduction, 99.9 percent of the tumor has been removed. Now let’s apply this new therapy to the relatively few cells that may remain,” Sugarbaker told Asbestos.com. “This might be the home run we’re looking for. In my mind, that would be the next step.” Sugarbaker: Searching for a Better Way to Treat Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is the rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Despite recent therapeutic advances, it has no definitive cure. Microscopic tumor cells continue to evade even the best multidisciplinary treatment that includes aggressive surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Suga...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: anetumab ravtansine BAY 94-9343 clinical trials for mesothelioma David Sugarbaker immunotherapy mesothelioma clinical trial mesothelioma treatment stage 4 mesothelioma stage IV mesothelioma Source Type: news