Pleural mesothelioma patients live with the knowledge that there is no cure for them. An Italian biotechnology company promises to change that soon. MolMed S.p.A. issued a press release recently saying that testing has begun for the antitumor drug NGR-hTNF; this is a Phase III clinical trial for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.
MolMed’s trial will be based on 400 patients who have offered to receive a pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. The international clinical trial will administer the patients NGR-hTNF, along with another chemotherapy agent including doxorubicin, gemcitabine or vinorelbine, if recommended. It is expected that this line of treatment will add to the existing body of knowledge on the progression pattern of the disease and throw light on its effective management.
At present, the rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos and has a speedy spread rate once it is detected has no alternatives in terms of cure. Only management by palliative care to relieve excruciating symptoms and improving quality of life are the measures practiced for patients suffering this disease. For those living in the shadow of death, MolMed’s trial will be followed keenly and may turn out to be what has been hoped for all along.