Although surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have improved overall mesothelioma survival rates, there is still no cure for this deadly disease. Today, new mesothelioma treatment methods are being developed and studied in clinical trials. Below are a few of these treatments.

Intracavitary Chemotherapy

Intracavitary chemotherapy is a new approach to chemotherapy in which medication is placed directly into body cavities. With this new mesothelioma treatment, medication can be administered at much higher doses than traditional alternate chemotherapy. Intracavitary chemotherapy is also thought to allow chemotherapy medication to enter tumor cells directly, without the toxic side effects of traditional chemotherapy.

Drugs

Since chemotherapy agents have not proven to be very effective in treating advanced mesothelioma, new drugs are currently being tested. These new mesothelioma treatments include medications which kill cancers by depriving them of blood supply, such as bevacizumab (Avastin). Anti-growth factor drugs such as erlotinib (Tarceva) are also being studied. These inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Another promising new mesothelioma treatment, Alimta(R), was approved by the FDA in 2004. When used in combination with the anti-cancer drug cisplatin, it has been shown to drastically improve symptoms for some mesothelioma patients. Clinical trials for the drug suggested that patients using Alimta(R) may live up to 30% longer. This medication is given with vitamin B-12 and folic acid supplements which reduce the occurrence of negative of side effects.

Photodynamic Therapy

Also called PDT, photodynamic therapy involves the use of a photoactive drug and light from a laser. This new mesothelioma treatment works by isolating and destroying cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The effectiveness of PDT in mesothelioma patients has not yet been established, since studies have been limited. However, some promising results have been seen in some cancer centers, particularly for patients with Stage I and II malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Brachytherapy

In brachytherapy, radioactive substances are used to deliver radiation treatments to cancer patients. The patient is implanted with a customized device which contains radioactive "seeds". Radiation is delivered over a span of approximately three months. There is currently no extensive data to support the effectiveness of brachytherapy in treating malignant mesothelioma.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy uses special viruses that have been modified in the laboratory. In this new mesothelioma treatment, the modified virus is injected into the pleural (chest) space and infects the mesothelioma cells. The virus then injects a gene into the tumor that enhances the effects of a mesothelioma-fighting drug.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy involves fighting mesothelioma through the body's own natural immune system. With immunotherapy, substances called biological response modifiers (BRMs) may be produced by the body or in a laboratory setting. BRMs are used to enhance or restore the body's natural ability to defend itself against the invading cancer. This new mesothelioma treatment is currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

Remember to consult your mesothelioma doctor for more information about these new mesothelioma treatment options.