A recent clinical trial has shown promising results in the treatment of certain types of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The trial focused on a novel type of chemotherapy called pegargiminase, which has been found to improve the survival rates of patients with biphasic and sarcomatoid mesothelioma.
The study, conducted in five countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, combined pegargiminase with the standard FDA-approved chemotherapy regimen of pemetrexed and cisplatin. The results were significant, with the addition of pegargiminase extending the median survival by 1.6 months and quadrupling the 36-month (3-year) survival rate compared to patients who only received pemetrexed and cisplatin without pegargiminase.
Mesothelioma is classified into three cell types: epithelioid, biphasic, and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is generally more responsive to treatment, while sarcomatoid mesothelioma presents the greatest challenge in terms of treatment options and prognosis. Biphasic mesothelioma, a mixture of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells, has a prognosis and treatment effectiveness that depends on the ratio of the cells.
For years, medical professionals have been seeking new approaches to treat nonepithelioid mesothelioma, as traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy have offered limited long-term solutions. The addition of pegargiminase to the standard chemotherapy treatment for nonepithelioid mesothelioma cases has emerged as a promising new approach.
Pegargiminase works by targeting tumors that lack argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) expression, a key enzyme that converts citrulline to arginine. Tumors that do not express ASS, including certain mesotheliomas, are vulnerable to the deprivation of arginine, which pegargiminase aims to achieve.
The results of this clinical trial represent a significant advancement in the treatment of mesothelioma, particularly for patients with biphasic and sarcomatoid cell types. As further research and development continue, this novel approach to chemotherapy holds great promise for improving the prognosis and survival rates of individuals affected by this challenging disease.
