After nearly a century of mesothelioma research, doctors have learned what causes this cancer, who is most at risk for contracting the disease, what symptoms indicate its presence and what tools are most effective at diagnosing and treating the cancer. These strides have significantly impacted how medical professionals diagnose and treat mesothelioma. Current efforts are working to develop more effective treatments and an eventual cure for this life-threatening disease.
Pharmaceutical Breakthroughs for Mesothelioma
Currently, the FDA has only approved one chemotherapy medication for the treatment of mesothelioma. Alimta, which works to stop cell division, is often administered along with the platinum-based chemotherapy agent Cisplatin in one of the most effective chemotherapy combinations available.
Onconase, one of the first stem cell medications to reach the final stages of clinical trials, is a low-toxicity chemotherapy drug that is designed to shrink and kill mesothelioma tumors. This medication has been admitted to the FDA’s Fast Track program, which expedites the approval time for certain drugs. This program often cuts the approval time to six months, allowing the medication in question to be quickly designated for widespread use when patients have few other FDA-approved options.
Veglin, which has demonstrated ability to stabilize and shrink tumors, reached Phase II clinical trial testing in 2004. The University of California’s Keck School of Medicine is currently examining its success in mesothelioma patients. Researchers hope to curb the rapid metastasis typical of mesothelioma with this medication.
The process of introducing a new mesothelioma medication typically takes between 12 and 15 years. To ensure patient safety, adequate time must be spent in each stage of the development process. The table below outlines the average process of testing and presenting a new pharmaceutical product.
Currently, the FDA has only approved one chemotherapy medication for the treatment of mesothelioma. Alimta, which works to stop cell division, is often administered along with the platinum-based chemotherapy agent Cisplatin in one of the most effective chemotherapy combinations available.
Onconase, one of the first stem cell medications to reach the final stages of clinical trials, is a low-toxicity chemotherapy drug that is designed to shrink and kill mesothelioma tumors. This medication has been admitted to the FDA’s Fast Track program, which expedites the approval time for certain drugs. This program often cuts the approval time to six months, allowing the medication in question to be quickly designated for widespread use when patients have few other FDA-approved options.
Veglin, which has demonstrated ability to stabilize and shrink tumors, reached Phase II clinical trial testing in 2004. The University of California’s Keck School of Medicine is currently examining its success in mesothelioma patients. Researchers hope to curb the rapid metastasis typical of mesothelioma with this medication.
The process of introducing a new mesothelioma medication typically takes between 12 and 15 years. To ensure patient safety, adequate time must be spent in each stage of the development process. The table below outlines the average process of testing and presenting a new pharmaceutical product.
| Stage of the Process | Step of Development | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years 1-3 | Basic Research | ||||
| Years 4-6 | Pre-clinical testing using in vitro (artificially created environments) and animal trials | ||||
| Years 7-10 | Clinical testing via Phase I, II and III clinical trials | ||||
| Year 10 | Register the drug with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration | ||||
| Year 11 | Introduction of the drug to the public | ||||
| Years 11-15 | Product monitoring and Phase IV clinical trials | ||||
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