Mesothelioma, which is a consequential form of cancer, is a potential concern for people who have been exposed to asbestos. While there’s now a full ban on the importation of raw asbestos, people who were exposed decades ago – or even recently – can still suffer from this condition now.
While effective treatment innovations are relatively few and far between, a new one is showing promise. Pegargiminase, a new drug, has emerged as a beacon of hope for people who have mesothelioma.
Promising mesothelioma treatment
Recently, a study was published in JAMA Oncology that introduces pegargiminase (ADI-PEG20) as a potential treatment for mesothelioma. The drug showed promising results in a phase 3 clinical trial. This trial included 249 patients from five countries who have pleural mesothelioma.
There were two groups of patients. One group received pegargiminase along with conventional chemotherapy. The other was given a placebo and the standard chemotherapy regimen. The results of the study showed that patients treated with pegargiminase were four times more likely to survive three years post-treatment compared to those who received the placebo.
Science behind the new treatment
Pegargiminase targets the cancer cells’ dependency on arginine. This amino acid is essential for protein synthesis and cell function. Many mesothelioma cells can’t produce arginine so they rely on external sources. By degrading arginine, pegargiminase can starve the cancer cells, which hinders their ability to grow and multiply. This breakthrough may be able to help patients who have other types of cancer, as well.
Treating mesothelioma is a costly undertaking. Victims of this disease have the option of seeking compensation, but this can be a complex process. Seeking the assistance of someone familiar with these cases can be beneficial, as a result.