Medical Breakthrough: UK Scientists Develop Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment
In what is being considered as the biggest breakthrough in two decades, scientists in United Kingdom have developed a drug to treat mesothelioma, an aggressive and the most common form of cancer linked to asbestos.
The cancer is mainly caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos at work. Distinct for its aggressive and deadly nature, the disease has historically low survival rates.
In a groundbreaking international trial led by Queen Mary University of London, the new drug emerged as a beacon of hope for patients battling mesothelioma. Published in the prestigious journal JAMA Oncology, the study reveals that the innovative drug, ADI-PEG20 (pegargiminase), has quadrupled three-year survival rates, offering renewed prospects for those affected by the disease.
The trial, known as the ATOMIC-meso trial, spanned five countries – UK, US, Australia, Italy, and Taiwan – and involved 249 patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a form of the disease affecting the lining of the lungs. Led by Professor Peter Szlosarek at Queen Mary University, the trial marked a significant milestone in cancer research, showcasing the collaborative efforts of researchers and medical professionals across borders.
Mesothelioma, notoriously challenging to treat, has long presented a grim prognosis for patients with one of the lowest survival rates of around 5-10 percent. However, the introduction of ADI-PEG20 represents a profound shift in treatment approaches. Administered together with chemotherapy, the drug targets the tumor”s food supply, inhibiting its ability to thrive and proliferate.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and the biotechnology company Polaris Group, the study”s results underscore the efficacy of the drug, with patients receiving it in combination with chemotherapy experiencing an average survival rate of 9.3 months, compared to 7.7 months for those on a placebo-chemotherapy regimen.
Mesothelioma occurs in the thin layers of tissue lining majority of the internal organs, often affecting lungs (pleural mesothelioma). Rarer types of mesothelioma occur around the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), the heart and the testicles.
As the medical community celebrates this landmark achievement hailed as the “truly wonderful” breakthrough, the road holds promise for the integration of the new drug into standard treatment protocols, ushering in a new era of hope for those affected by mesothelioma.
