Image via WikipediaDiagnosed in nearly 3,000 Americans each year, mesothelioma is most common in trade workers and military veterans. The latency or incubation period can be up to 50 years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos causes approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer. In addition, they estimate 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
An Anti-Tumor Drug From JapanOne standard treatment for mesothelioma is a combination of chemotherapydrugs. Most often pemetrexed and cisplatin are combined after surgery to halt the growth of the cancer and to alleviate symptoms. However, the overall prognosis for mesothelioma patients remains poor, with the average survival time varying from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.
In a recent article in the medical journal Cancer, Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, Japanese researchers explore the effectiveness of the new anti-tumor drug, also known as S-1, for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma. The chemotherapy drug that is taken orally was developed by the Japanese drug manufacturer Taiho Pharmaceutical Co.
The drug is approved in Japan for the treatment of gastric, colorectal, head and neck, non-small cell lung, metastatic breast, pancreatic and biliary tract cancers. It is also available in Korea, China and other Asian countries. It was recently recommended for approval as a first line treatment for gastric cancer in Europe, but is not yet available in the U.S.
Proves to Improve SurvivalTo test the drug’s effectiveness on mesothelioma, researchers at the University of Tokushima implanted malignant mesothelioma cells into the chest cavities of mice. Their intent was to see whether S-1 would reduce the growth of cancerous tumors and the occurrence of bloody pleural fluid caused by mesothelioma.
The researchers reported that treatment with S-1 significantly reduced tumor growth in mice with certain lines of mesothelioma cells and prolonged their survival. One of the key compounds in S-1 is CDPH, which enhances the antitumor activity of 5-FU as well. 5-FU is another anti-cancer medication used in conjunction with S-1.
Most often diagnoses of mesothelioma are not made until symptoms appear and the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. To make the study realistic, the researchers then delayed treating the mice until their tumors were also at an advanced stage. The same results were achieved with late stage mesothelioma, suggesting that S-1 may be applicable for treatment of human mesothelioma patients in a clinical setting.
The research suggests that S-1 may be an effective therapy for controlling malignant pleural mesothelioma, but further study is needed.
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