Typical cancer treatments are hard on the body and are not
always effective. When treating someone for cancer, chemotherapy is typically
used, which kills cancer cells or stops them from growing or spreading.
Chemotherapy can also kill healthy cells, which makes it hard on the body. Immunotherapy
is another option, and it works by helping the immune system fight and attack
cancer cells. There are different types of immunotherapy that are being tested
and used for treatment including monoclonal antibodies, oncolytic viruses,
T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines. With these different immunotherapy options,
cancers that have not responded well to chemotherapy and other typical cancer
treatments are able to be treated with the possibility of a cure.
An upcoming study is looking at using two different treatments
to help fight mesothelioma. The first drug, Opdivo, is a type of immunotherapy
drug that is an immune checkpoint inhibitor, which helps the immune system
detect and fight cancer cells. Cancer cells use the protein PD-1, which
disguises them from the immune system. When using Opdivo, the PD-1 protein is
blocked, allowing the immune system to see and kill cancer cells. The other drug being looked at is MTG201 which
was created by MTG Biotherapeutics. It is an inactivated adenovirus which seeks
out cancer cells and induces their death.
The phase two trial is looking at Opdivo and MTG201 together
in people who have been treated with chemotherapy and the treatment failed. Twelve
people will be examined while taking the treatment. This combination of drugs
can help mesothelioma patients because typically, there are few immune cells
that exist for activating the immune system to fight mesothelioma. Immune cells
need to be attracted to the tumor, which is possible when combining the two
drugs.
MTG201 is injected into the tumor four times while 480 mg of
Opdivo is given intravenously every four weeks until the disease progresses.
The researchers want to see what percentage of participants will respond to the
treatment, how long the response takes, and how long the patient can live
without cancer progression.
The combination of Opdivo and MTG201 has shown to be an
effective treatment in mouse models. Cell death because of the MTG201 boosted
Opdivo’s response, causing great results in patients.
With new cancer treatments continuing to be developed, there
is still hope for mesothelioma sufferers. Mesothelioma typically does not
respond well to cancer treatments, but with the new advances, it can
potentially be cured.
Sources:
“How Does OPDIVO® Work With My Immune System?” Opdivo [Link]
Patricia Inacio, “Upcoming Phase 2 Trial Will Test
Opdivo-MTG201 Combo for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma” Immuno-Oncology News
(August 9, 2019). [Link]