Clinical Trials Involving Single Treatments
Editor's Note: The clinical trials listed below are specific to mesothelioma and have participating centers in North America. The website of the National Cancer Institute lists additional mesothelioma trials being conducted abroad, as well as cancer clinical trials that include but are not specific to mesothelioma. For updated information on recruitment for clinical trials, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
While most mesothelioma clinical trials involve combination treatments, some focus on single treatments. Many of the trials listed below exclude patients currently undergoing chemotherapy or other treatments; however, some of the same trials require previous treatment with chemotherapy or other therapies. For updated information on eligibility and recruitment status, click on the links below each trial.
Tomotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma
Tomotherapy is a new radiation technology that can be used to treat abnormally shaped tumors, including tumors that surround sensitive tissues. For this reason, tomotherapy may prove useful in treating and hopefully extending the life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma, or cancer of the lining that surrounds the lung. This clinical trial will evaluate participants' symptoms, breathing and quality of life prior to and following treatment. (Click here to learn more about eligibility and recruitment for the trial.)
An Efficacy Study of Milataxel (TL139) Administered Orally for Malignant Mesothelioma
Milataxel is a new drug belonging to a drug class called taxanes. This mesothelioma trial will attempt to determine the effectiveness of orally administered Milataxel in mesothelioma patients. The study is open to patients who have had chemotherapy but still experienced recurrence or progression of the disease. (Click here to learn more about eligibility and recruitment for the trial.)
Dasatinib in Resectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
P-Src is a type if kinase (enzyme or protein that attaches to and mutates other cells) that has elevated activity in certain types of cancer. A new drug, dasatinib, has been shown to reduce this activity, thus suggesting that it inhibits the underlying cancer activity and uncontrolled cell growth. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which dasatinib inhibits p-Src Tyr 419 — a kinase associated with mesothelioma — in patients with resectable mesothelioma tumors (tumors that can be surgically removed). (Click here to learn more about eligibility and details for the clinical trial.)
Amatuximab for High Mesothelin Cancers
Amatuximab is a drug treatment designed to attack mesothelin, a substance found on certain tumor cells. Mesothelin is said to be "over-expressed" in many types of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. Additional research is needed to determine if amatuximab is effective and/or safe for the treatment of tumors with large quantities of mesothelin. (Click here to learn more about eligibility and recruitment.)
Anti-TGF Monoclonal Antibody (GC1008) in Relapsed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a GC1008 — an investigational cancer drug — in patients suffering from malignant mesothelioma. The clinical trial will involve about 40 participants and will take place at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago. (Click here to learn more about eligibility and recruitment.)
Pilot Study of Bisphosphonate Therapy (Zoledronic Acid) in Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma (UAB 0901)
This pilot study will attempt to assess the effect of zoledronic acid (bisphosphonate therapy) on patients with mesothelioma. It will also attempt to determine zoledronic acid's biologic effect using blood level markers and new serum markers. (Click here to learn more about eligibility and recruitment.)
Intrapleural Gene Transfer for Pleural Mesothelioma
This study will focus on patients with pleural mesothelioma and study gene transfer and its effect in activating the immune system. Gene transfer involves the insertion of a specific gene into cancer cells. Researchers hope that repeated injections of SCH 721015 over three days will cause gene transfer in pleural mesothelioma patients. (Click here to learn more about eligibility and recruitment.)
See Also:
» Treatments Under Investigation
[Page updated December 2011]
