Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a type of malignant tumor that is both aggressive and rare in nature. It starts developing in the pleura, which is the lining that protects the lungs and the chest cavity. Protheragen offers end-to-end solutions for pleural mesothelioma (PM) diagnostics and therapeutics development, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary expertise.
Overview of Pleural Mesothelioma (PM)
Pleural Mesothelioma (PM) is a fierce form of cancer, a tumor that arises from mesothelial cells that cover the lungs. It is well recognized that asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for PM. Like many other malignancies, PM is difficult to treat due to the diagnostic challenges it presents as well as its lengthy latent period. The illness is nearly ubiquitous among people who have had chronic exposure to asbestos fibers, which leads to damage and inflammation at the cellular level that results from. PM patients often experience symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough, and weight loss; however, like many other cancers, it is often diagnosed only in its advanced stages. The challenges of therapeutics are exacerbated by a lack of effective therapeutic options, as demonstrated by the five-year survival rate of only 10%.
Fig.1 Diagnostic workup of pleural effusion and small biopsy specimens with atypical mesothelial proliferations. (Dacic S., 2022)
Diagnostics Development for Pleural Mesothelioma (PM)
Imaging Techniques
One of the cornerstones of PM diagnosis is advanced imaging techniques, which are instrumental in identifying tumors and assessing their progression. Computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans are the primary diagnostic modalities used. CT scans provide high-resolution images of the pleura, helping detect pleural thickening and invasive masses indicative of advanced disease. MRI and PET scans are used to evaluate diaphragmatic invasion and metastasis, respectively, offering valuable information on disease spread.
Molecular and Biomarker-Based Diagnostics
Molecular diagnostics are gaining prominence in the diagnosis of PM, allowing for earlier detection and more precise identification of malignant mesothelial proliferations. Biomarkers such as mesothelin, megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), and fibulin-3 are often detected in pleural effusions or serum, offering non-invasive diagnostic options. Additionally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for markers like BAP1 and CDKN2A loss, combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), enhances diagnostic sensitivity, particularly in cases with limited biopsy material.
Therapeutics Development for Pleural Mesothelioma (PM)
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy remains a mainstay in the therapeutics of PM, with platinum-based drugs such as cisplatin or carboplatin combined with pemetrexed being the standard of care. Bevacizumab, a VEGF inhibitor, has shown significant benefits when added to chemotherapy, improving survival rates and progression-free survival. These combinations leverage the synergistic effects of cytotoxic drugs and targeted therapies to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
- Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy represents a promising frontier in PM therapeutics. Nivolumab and ipilimumab, checkpoint inhibitors that enhance T-cell function and activation, have demonstrated improved outcomes in patients with unresectable mesothelioma. By modulating the immune response, these therapies offer new hope for patients with advanced disease, highlighting the potential of harnessing the body's immune system to combat cancer.
Table 1. Clinical trials related to malignant mesothelioma. (Jain M., et al., 2024)
| Status |
Study Title |
Conclusion |
NCT Number |
| Completed |
Ph 2/3 Study on ADI-PEG 20 With Pemetrexed and Cisplatin |
Suggested potential benefits of combining ADI-PEG 20 with standard chemotherapy in mesothelioma therapeutics. |
NCT02709512 |
| NGR015: Study in Second Line for Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma |
Provided insights into the effectiveness of NGR-hTNF in second-line therapy for pretreated patients. |
NCT01098266 |
| Cisplatin With or Without Pemetrexed Disodium |
Demonstrated the efficacy of cisplatin and pemetrexed in managing malignant mesothelioma. |
NCT00005636 |
| Nivolumab Combined with Ipilimumab vs. Pemetrexed and Cisplatin |
Showed promise for immunotherapy combinations in enhancing therapeutic outcomes for unresectable mesothelioma. |
NCT02899299 |
| Fentanyl Sublingual Spray in Treating Patients with Breakthrough Cancer Pain |
Showed that fentanyl sublingual spray effectively manages breakthrough cancer pain, offering an alternative to traditional methods. |
NCT00538850 |
| Active, Not Recruiting |
Efficacy & Safety of rAd-IFN With Celecoxib & Gemcitabine |
Aiming to assess the combined impact of biological and chemotherapeutic agents on therapeutic efficacy. |
NCT03710876 |
| DuRvalumab With Chemotherapy |
Investigating the role of immunotherapy alongside chemotherapy which could lead to improved survival rates. |
NCT04334759 |
| Recruiting |
MEDI5752 in Combination with Carboplatin Plus Pemetrexed |
Actively seeking participants to evaluate a new therapeutic combination that may enhance therapeutic effectiveness. |
NCT06097728 |
| Terminated |
Testing Addition of Targeted Radiation Therapy |
Termination reflects difficulties in integrating targeted radiation with standard therapeutics in early-stage mesothelioma. |
NCT04158141 |
| Nintedanib (BIBF 1120) in Mesothelioma |
Termination highlights challenges in study design or recruitment, suggesting limitations in nintedanib's application. |
NCT01907100 |
| Unknown |
ONCONASE Plus Doxorubicin Versus Doxorubicin Alone |
The unclear status suggests potential issues with trial progression or reporting, warranting further investigation. |
NCT00003034 |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
Protheragen delivers a complete suite of services for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for pleural mesothelioma. Our expertise covers the full spectrum of PM research, from early-stage diagnostics to advanced therapeutic strategies. We offer cutting-edge imaging and histopathological analysis, utilizing the latest technologies to improve diagnostic accuracy. Our therapeutic development capabilities include the design and execution of preclinical studies, assessment of novel drug combinations, and the integration of immunotherapy and targeted therapies.
Disease Models
- Traditional 2D Cell Lines
- 3D Spheroids
- Organoid Models of Pleural Mesothelioma (PM)
- Asbestos-Induced Murine Tumor Models
- Intrapleural Injection with Adeno-Cre Virus
- Nf2; p53 Conditional Knockout (CKO) Mice
- Bap1; Nf2; Ink4a/Arf CKO Mice
Protheragen's strength in diagnostics and therapeutics development stems from our multidisciplinary approach and dedication to innovation. Our team, comprising pathologists, oncologists, and molecular biologists, brings a thorough and integrated understanding of pleural mesothelioma. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Dacic, Sanja. "Pleural mesothelioma classification—update and challenges." Modern Pathology 35 (2022): 51-56.
- Jain, Molly, et al. "Malignant pleural mesothelioma: a comprehensive review." Journal of Clinical Medicine 13.19 (2024): 5837.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
