Straight Talk about Mesothelioma, a blog series created by Michael T. Milano, M.D., Ph.D., a radiation oncology specialist, as a resource for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps a patient’s immune system fight cancer. Researchers have developed a number of cancer immunotherapies, including some with the potential to help mesothelioma patients.
Because there is no cure for mesothelioma, and because it is a particularly aggressive cancer, treatment options that do not involve chemotherapy or surgery have attracted attention from doctors and patients.
Is immunotherapy a good option for someone living with mesothelioma? It is an important question, but not one with a simple answer.
Understanding the Immune System and Immunotherapy
The immune system is a collection of organs, cells, tissues, and substances that keeps the body protected from infection and disease. It monitors the substances in your body, and if something is wrong, the immune system sounds the alarm and attacks the foreign substance.
Immunotherapies work by making the immune system smarter and more effective. Immune checkpoint inhibitors help the immune system better detect and respond to cancer cells. Cancer vaccines provoke a person’s immune system as a way to both treat and prevent certain types of cancer. Doctors have also tried using monoclonal antibodies, which are immune system proteins that are designed and engineered specifically to combat cancer.
Mesothelioma Immunotherapies Await FDA Approval
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved immunotherapy specifically for mesothelioma. Immunotherapies have been approved for other types of cancer, but for patients with mesothelioma, these new treatments are only available by participating in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials are research studies that monitor people using a promising drug or therapy before it is approved for prescription. Advances in medicine are made slowly, and clinical trials give researchers the chance to demonstrate that drugs, treatments, and therapies are safe and effective.
Because immunotherapies for mesothelioma are not yet approved, patients looking to explore this option must enroll in a clinical trial.
Enrolling in a Clinical Trial
The National Institute of Health (NIH) maintains a database of clinical studies happening all over the world. The purpose is to help connect patients with researchers who are working on medicine that could help them. On the site, there is information for patients and their families about the opportunities and risks of participating in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials tend to have a specific focus, so paying attention to the scope of the trial is important. Some studies are looking at a certain gender, age, or stage of cancer, while others are only open to patients who have not responded well to standard treatments.
As with any big decision, it is important to consult your doctor. They will be able to offer insight and guidance about appropriateness of the clinical trial for your specific condition. It is also crucial to discuss this decision with your caregivers and support network because participating in a clinical trial may involve new logistical and emotional support.
The post Immunotherapy and Cancer – New Options for Mesothelioma Patients appeared first on Mesothelioma Help Now.
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