A recent clinical trial has pointed the way to innovative CAR T-cell therapy being used in the future as part of the standard of care treatment for asbestos-related mesothelioma.
Cancer Discovery covered the single centre study results on 15th July 2021 which showed the results of using the treatment alongside a well-known immunotherapy drug known as pembrolizumab, which has the product name, Keytruda.
The results showed that, on average, sufferers of the incurable asbestos-related cancer lived for an average of 23.9 months.
When dealing with mesothelioma claims, we often sadly see clients losing their lives to this terrible condition within a matter of 6 to 12 months following diagnosis and it is hoped that the groundbreaking treatment could be used to help improve outcomes for sufferers.
Dr Prasad Adusumilli, the lead study author, is reported to have said:
“There is more work to be done, but what we saw was very encouraging, we are moving forward.”
It is hoped by the expert that CAR T-cell therapy will one day “change the paradigm of treatment mesothelioma.”
What is CAR T-Cell therapy?
This form of treatment involved laboratory reprogramming of a sufferer’s T Cells, white blood cells that discourage infection and disease. In a laboratory environment, the cells are genetically modified to help recognise cancerous cells to be killed off.
Whilst such therapy has commonly been used in the past to treat leukaemia and lymphoma, this has not been used to treat solid tumours such as asbestos-related mesothelioma.
The vast majority of patients taking part in the study received a preparatory course of chemotherapy before receiving the treatment.
Reprogramming cells
The recent study showed that the T-cells were reprogrammed to combat mesothelin, which is a cell surface protein that lines the lining of the lungs and stomach and is overexpressed in various cancers including mesothelioma.
The treatment was prescribed either through a pleural catheter or via radiology guided imaging.
After the CAR T-cell therapy had been administered, this was followed up with Keytruda, which blocks the interaction of the PD-1, a protein that often prevents a patient’s immune system from attacking the mesothelioma.
Fantastic results
Amazingly, in this new study, a 76-year-old sufferer saw a 28% reduction in his tumour lesions with this treatment and an even more impressive 78% reduction after the follow-up of Keytruda. He responded for 26 months in total, which is a real improvement on the average life expectancy following standard NHS chemotherapy of 12 months.
Another participant in the trial was found to have no measurable disease for 32 months.
We will continue to monitor the progress of the use of this new treatment to help combat mesothelioma. Hopefully, there will come a time where even if this treatment is only available on a private paying basis, we will be able to assist our clients in recouping such costs from their past employers as part of their mesothelioma compensation claim.
If you require assistance in pursuing a mesothelioma claim or need advice on any other asbestos compensation claim, then please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.