Orphan Drug May Help Shrink Mesothelioma Tumors
The developers of an FDA-designated ‘orphan drug' for mesothelioma are recruiting patients for a new Phase II clinical trial on soft tissue sarcomas. The drug, called NGR-hTNF is a vascular targeting agent that appears to be able to seek out tumor cells in the body and disrupt their blood vessel formation. An orphan drug is a medicine that has been developed specifically to treat a rare medical condition, such as mesothelioma or liver cancer. The new clinical trial will test NGR-hTNF's effectiveness against certain soft tissue sarcomas alone or in combination with the drug doxorubicin.
In addition to the newly-announced clinical trial, the drug's manufacturer, Italy-based MolMed S.p.A, has also been conducting Phase III clinical trials specifically in malignant pleural mesothelioma. NGR-hTNF has already shown promise in completed Phase II clinical trials for mesothelioma, liver cancer and colorectal cancer and it is currently also being tested for small-cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that begins in the pleura or lining that surrounds the lungs. It is almost always the result of exposure to asbestos. According to recent studies, fibers of the mineral can migrate into the pleura when inhaled, setting up an inflammatory response that can eventually lead to cancer. About 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. It is notoriously difficult both to diagnose and treat.
Because it combines a peptide (NGR) with a cytokine (TNF), the NGR-hTNF treatment is classified as a peptide/cytokine complex. Its effectiveness is being evaluated both alone and in combination with other types of therapies to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma and other rare diseases.
In a recent company press release, CEO Claudio Bordignon commented "We now have evidence of clinical activity of NGR-hTNF in five different types of solid tumors, adding two more indications, ovarian and small-cell lung cancer to those observed in completed Phase II trials as a single agent in colorectal cancer, liver cancer and mesothelioma." High doses of the drug have also been shown to be effective for certain kinds of tumors in the arms and legs.
NGR-hTNF holds orphan drug status in both the U.S. and the European Union for mesothelioma and liver cancer. Results of the latest clinical trials were recently presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Medical Oncology in Milan.
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Specimens of 27 histologically definite mesotheliomas and 34 proven adenocarcinomas were examined with a panel of 14 antibodies
Preresection tumor volume is representative of T status in malignant pleural mesothelioma and can predict overall and progression-free survival, as well as postoperative stage
The PG profile is closely associated with the morphology and biological behavior of tumor cells, mesotheliomas showing a different profile than true epithelial tumors.
MVP is a well tolerated regimen and its use in malignant mesothelioma provides useful symptomatic benefit. Results should be the basis for further trials of MVP in the management of mesothelioma with symptom control as a principal endpoint
Benign mesothelioma, unlike most asbestos cancers,can surface much sooner. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma take 15 to 40 years to surface after the initial exposure to asbestos. Benign mesothelioma on the other hand, will surface much sooner.
Cancer translational research brings together scientists' and clinicians' suggestions to develop solutions to biomedical complications. This kind of applied research strives to offer strategies to questions surrounding the etiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and treating cancer.
Orbs are actually a lumpectomy or quadrantectomy combined with rotating the breast tissue or mobilize the flap into the cavity of the surgery time fill is removed. It also includes the comparative change in shape and size is doing in relation to breast and moved if necessary, does not affect the conversion of the breast. The deferred plan the reconstruction is not part of endoplasmic techniques. Both procedures are performed by specific thoracic surgeons.
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Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that originates in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective lining that covers the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma occurs when the mesothelium cells start to divide uncontrollably.
Chemotherapy is a treatment for killing cancerous cells which is given intravenous or extra-venous to the cancer patient. Even breast cancer patients have to go through the treatment. This treatment mainly focuses on the cancerous cells that are spread in the blood stream in the whole body . If any cancerous cells are there then they are killed by the chemotherapy medicine. The medicine is very costly and it has to be taken for one or two days continuously for every 21 days .
Asbestos fibers are microscopic, though they are also quite durable. For this reason, asbestos was used in a number of different industrial compounds to enhance strength and resistance to temperature extremes- two properties at which the mineral is highly adept.
It has long been known that smoking is hazardous to one's health, causing a marked increase in instances of mesothelioma lung cancer among those who smoke regularly.
Exposure to asbestos particles is one of the principal causes of mesothelioma cancer, also known as asbestos cancer. As a naturally occurring mineral with useful commercial applications, asbestos is found in plumbing, insulation and other building materials and products.
There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood that a person will develop mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Information – Basics Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is usually caused by previous exposure to asbestos.
