Patients suffering from the asbestos-cancer mesothelioma have received bad news as a clinical trial that was taking place has been cancelled. The pharmaceutical company, Aduro Biotech have announced that they are no longer continuing to trial the new drug, CRS-207.
Although initially the company has indicated that the results were encouraging they have now indicated that they will be closing the trial down. The first part of this study was titled ‘Evaluate the Safety and Induction of Immune Response of CRS-207 in Combination with Pemetrexed and Cisplatin as Front-Line Therapy in Adults with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.’ The first reports were presented four years ago at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Annual Meeting.
Following this meeting, the company indicated that 82% of the patients suffering with mesothelioma found that the disease was controlled. A further 27% found that the mesothelioma tumour was stable, and 55% found that they had a partial response. Additionally, they found that 77% of patients with the mesothelioma tumour experienced at least some shrinkage.
What is CRS-207?
The drug, CRS-207 is a vaccine designed to stimulate immune system T-cells. These T-cells are designed to target the asbestos cancer cells, and locate those that express mesothelin. Mesothelin is a protein found in mesothelioma cancer cells, pancreatic cancer cells, and non-small-cell lung cancer cells.
It is disappointing news to find that the trial will not continue. However, this trial is one of a number of trials which will hopefully have a positive outcome for mesothelioma sufferers now and in the future.
How can we help?
If you require assistance pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma please contact us today. You can do so on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us‘ page.