Asbestos Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

Those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease—whether it’s pleural plaques, asbestosis, or an asbestos cancer such as lung cancer or mesothelioma—know all too well that such diseases have little chance for a cure.

The good news is that ongoing research is being carried out in order to develop a treatment that can both extend life and improve quality of life for patients suffering from mesothelioma, the rare cancer that is almost exclusively caused by previous, usually occupational, exposure to the building material asbestos. Some of these treatments are highly complex and involve the administration of pharmaceuticals, new types of chemotherapy or new radiation therapy—or a combination of all three modes of treatment.

When new treatments show potential, they must go through clinical trials. These are defined by the U.S. Institute of Health as “biomedical or health-related research studies in human beings that follow a pre-defined protocol.” They may be either interventional, in which research volunteers are assigned to a particular treatment; or observational, in which the volunteer is simply studied by investigators who record the outcomes.

Many promising treatments are currently undergoing clinical trials in all phases.

One such treatment for malignant mesothelioma involves a relatively new drug called pemetrexed. This particular drug, currently being studied for a variety of patients in a number of clinical trials, is a chemotherapy drug marketed under the brand name Alimta. Chemically, this substance is similar to Vitamin B9, or folic acid, which is found in leafy green vegetables. Also known as premetrexed disodium, it has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumor cells by stopping the formation of DNA and RNA at the cellular level.

Another chemotherapy drug currently undergoing trials is known as Cediranib. This pharmaceutical appears to stop the blood flow that nourishes tumor cells, essentially starving them to death, and has shown great promise in a number of cancer patients, including those with mesothelioma.

Some treatments currently being studied involve the use of simple plants found in the wild or even at the market. For example, Japanese cancer researchers recently found evidence to suggest that the consumption of boysenberries, which have significantly higher levels of antioxidants than similar fruit, can actually inhibit the growth of mesothelioma cells. In Australia, a relative of the deadly nightshade plant, known locally as the “Devil’s Apple,” has long been used to treat cancerous lesions on horses; today, medical researchers have identified one of the substances in this plant, which is called SBP002, as having a destructive effect on cancer cells. Like AZD2171, which is the active chemical in Cediranib, this particular chemical appears to interfere with the reproduction process of cancer cells. There is also some evidence that SBP002 either helps boost the immune system, or at least does not negatively affect it.

One of the most exciting and promising treatments currently being investigated involves the use of a substance produced naturally in the human body. Known as antineoplaston, this chemical is a natural ingredient of human blood and urine; as an isolate, it has shown some promise in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, among a wide array of other types of cancers.

Participation in clinical trials is, of course, not for everyone. Although they are a necessary part of medical research and can yield great benefits both to the patient and to medicine, there are always some risks involved. In addition, most trials have specific criteria which potential subjects must meet; these will necessarily differ from one trial to another.

Although clinical trials are regulated by both the law and a code of professional ethics, anyone who is considering participation in a clinical trial should learn as much as possible beforehand. Here, you will find much of the information you will need in order to make an educated decision. Your doctor may be the best source of information concerning current, active clinical trials and your potential eligibility for them.

Current Clinical Trials Covered on Asbestos.net:

The information provided on Asbestos.net, a website of Sokolove Law, is general in nature, does not apply to any particular factual situation, and is not and should not be taken as legal, medical, financial, insurance, or other professional advice. We make no commitment or warranty that the factual, legal, medical, financial, or any other information on Asbestos.net, or on any linked website, is accurate, complete, error-free, or current. As such, you should not rely on such information, and should seek professional advice if and as you determine appropriate. While some information on Asbestos.net may have been reviewed by an oncologist, none of it has been endorsed or approved by any medical professional. Similarly, no attorney-client relationship between you and Sokolove Law is or may be created by your access to or use of the website or any information herein. We may include on the website information regarding lawsuits, settlements, and judgments for cases that Sokolove Law was not involved in. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Please see our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy, which is new and/or materially revised effective February 18, 2010, and our Disclaimers, which are new effective February 18, 2010, for further information.

HOME | ABOUT ASBESTOS.NET | Terms of Use & Privacy Policy | DISCLAIMERS | CONTACT US | Sokolove Law, LLC

Copyright © 2003-2010 Sokolove Law, LLC