Recent developments in medical science have resulted in the wide use of immunotherapy as an emerging tool in tackling various forms of cancer, but its effectiveness in combatting asbestos related mesothelioma, remains in the balance.
Researchers at the University of Salford have recently published a report on the immune checkpoint inhibitor, tremelimumab, and have classified the use of such drugs as “largely questionable” for asbestos related, pleural mesothelioma treatment.
Their criticisms and concerns relate not only to clinical efficacy, but also extend to the safety and tolerability of immunotherapy drugs such as tremelimumab in those suffering with this terminal asbestos related condition.
In an earlier study from 2015, the team at Salford also highlighted uncertainty about what they refer to as the “costs to benefit” ratio of tremelimumab for mesothelioma. In their latest study they confirm that this form of treatment is not capable of fighting the asbestos related cancer alone. Lead researcher Alice Guazzelli states:-
“Biological and clinical considerations rule out the use of tremelimumab as single agent for malignant mesothelioma. More generally, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for malignant mesothelioma is still largely questionable and not supported by evidences.”
More disappointing news arrived from Australia where a study published in the Autumn of 2016 referred to recent studies on checkpoint inhibitors for mesothelioma as “disappointing” and said these drugs “will need to be used in combination approaches with other immunotherapies, vaccines, or chemotherapy.”
Despite these opinions being expressed about the effectiveness of the treatment, the news has been somewhat more hopeful in respect of immune checkpoint inhibitors which block the cell surface protein, PD-1. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), avelumab and nivolumab are three PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors which made headlines in the treatment of asbestos related mesothelioma last year.
The KEYNOTE trial of pembrolizumab included the review of 25 mesothelioma patients, where it was found that 20 per cent experienced an overall response rate to the treatment over the course of a year. This is really positive news for those suffering with asbestos related mesothelioma. The drug is thought to be most beneficial to those suffering with sarcomatoid mesothelioma but, unfortunately, the treatment is not currently available on the NHS. The private cost of this treatment over the course of an annual period is likely to costs tens of thousands of pounds.
Studies into the effectiveness of immunotherapy drugs are ongoing and Asbestos Justice will continue to keep you informed of any updated developments.
If you require assistance in pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma or other asbestos disease 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.
Sources
Guazzelli, A, et al, “Anti CTLA-4 therapy for malignant mesothelioma”, March 2017, Immunotherapy pp. 273-280.
“Nivolumab Shows Promise in Treating Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma”, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, News Release, 7th December 2016.