Asbestos Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

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Those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease – whether its pleural plaques, asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma – know all too well that such diseases have no cure.

The good news is that ongoing research is being carried out on treatments that can both extend life and improve the quality of life for asbestos patients. Some of these treatments are highly complex and involve the administration of pharmaceuticals, new types of chemo-therapy, radiation treatments and other such treatments.

When new treatments show potential, they must go through clinical trials. These are defined by the U.S. Institutes 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 involves a relatively new drug called pemetrexed. This particular drug, currently undergoing a Phase II clinical trial, 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. Premetrexed disodium and 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 AZD2171, which appears to stop the blood flow that nourishes tumor cells, essentially starving them to death.

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 anti-oxidants 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 that which seems to have an effect on cancer cells. Like AZD2171, this particular chemical appears to interfere with the reproduction process of cancer cells.

One of the most exciting and promising treatments now in a Phase II study 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 mesothelioma among other types of cancers.

Participation in clinical trials are not for everyone. Although they are a necessary part of medical research and can yield great benefit both to the patient and to society, there are always some risks involved. In addition, most trials have specific criteria which potential subjects must meet; these 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.

Current Clinical Trials Covered on Asbestos.net:

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