In the September 2013 issue of
The Journal of
Immunotherapy
, researchers from the Western University of Australia published results
of a study using a promising new immunotherapy compound and its effects
on reoccurring mesothelioma tumors in lab mice. Immunotherapy is based
on the body's natural defense system, which protects us against a
variety of diseases.
Researchers tested the effects of anti-CD40, an antibody which increases
the body’s production of tumor-fighting T-cells, on mesothelioma
tumors in mice. Researchers first removed the mesothelioma tumor, then
re-implanted mesothelioma cells to mimic reoccurrence of disease. At the
occurrence of established regrowth, the anti-CD40 was administered to
the tumors through the bloodstream, to the area surrounding the tumor,
or directly to the tumor. The results showed slowed metastatic growth
and inhibited local recurrence, in addition to improved survival from
metastasis.
Mesothelioma has an especially high rate of recurrence even when treated
with a multi-modality approach utilizing
surgery,
chemotherapy, and/or
radiation. Immunotherapy offers great promise as an emerging option in cancer treatment,
but it is still fairly new. Some types of immunotherapy have now become
part of standard cancer treatment, while others remain experimental. An
enormous amount of research remains to be done before the findings can
be widely applied.