New drug offers best news to mesothelioma sufferers for 20 years
An international trial of a drug called ADI-PEG20 (pegargiminase) offers genuine hope to people affected by mesothelioma following the best results in 20 years when successfully combined with chemotherapy.
The trial, led by scientists at Queen Mary University of London, developed the drug that cuts off the mesothelioma tumour’s food supply and quadrupled three-year survival rates. The results were published in the journal JAMA Oncology.
The breakthrough is particularly significant for a cancer notoriously difficult to treat and with low survival rates.
The trial involved patients from the UK, US, Australia, Italy and Taiwan, and was led by Prof Peter Szlosarek at Queen Mary. Each received chemotherapy every three weeks for up to six cycles. Half were also given injections of new drug, while the other half received a placebo for two years.
Among the patients involved in the final analysis were 249 people with pleural mesothelioma, on average aged 70.
The industrial disease team continues to represent those affected by exposure to asbestos and their families. We are always grateful to share good news with our clients and will update with the progress of the drug.
Partner Andrew Morgan said: 'We are delighted to hear this great news about the ATOMIC-Meso trial.
'We act for more than 100 clients each year who suffer from asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma and who face life expectancies measured only in months as a result. Some will have taken part in this trial.
'Professor Szlosarek, who led this international trial from London, also treats several of our clients. This work will have a direct beneficial effect on all our clients, their families and on others suffering from mesothelioma, prolonging their lives and improving the day to day quality of life.'