Mesothelioma, Hope Could Come from a Therapeutic Vaccine

The vaccine for non-small cell lung cancer showed a significant improvement in survival

The Mesothelioma is a cancer that originates in the mesothelium, the layer of cells that lines the serous body cavities: the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, the vaginal cavity of the testicles. It is a rare tumor that affects men more frequently and in Italy represents 0.4 percent of all diagnosed cancers in humans and 0.2% of those diagnosed in women; is associated primarily asbestos exposure.

For years, several medical teams are committed to finding a vaccine for mesothelioma, which affects 3,000 people in the United States. A recent discovery, however, has rekindled hopes: the studied vaccine for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed a significant improvement in patients' survival.

In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, the researchers of 'UC San Diego have indeed reported that the Belagenpumatucel-L, therapeutic vaccine derived from lung cancer cells cultured in vitro, can help the body determine an immune response that kills the tumor cells themselves.

This vaccine has been tested in a Phase II study of patients with NSCLC in the third or fourth stage, bringing a much higher survival rate after 5 years of follow up.

Encouraged by the results, the researchers say the next step is to conduct a Phase III study to evaluate the efficacy of L-Belagenpumatucel of about 500 patients.

According MesotheliomaHelp.net, US magazine, this study is particularly important for patients with mesothelioma, the disease is often not diagnosed until it arrives at the third or fourth stage.

Comments

General Information about Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen. Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs) or the peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs of the abdomen). Malignant mesothelioma can form in the heart or testicles, but this is not common Exposure to asbestos can influence the risk of malignant mesothelioma. Anything that increases the risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean you are going to have cancer; Having no risk factors does not mean you will not have cancer. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they inhaled or swallowed asbestos. After exposure to asbestos, it usually takes a lon...

Mesothelioma Pathology

Mesothelioma can be divided into types of localized and diffuse pathology, but the former is extremely rare. When making a diagnosis of mesothelioma, it is important to confirm the location of the tumor and the specific raw results before histological examination. Mesothelioma can be categorized histologically as epithelioid type, sarcomatoid type, biphasic type, desmoplastic type, among others. It can take many forms; consequently, there are many diseases to be differentiated when the pathology diagnosis of mesothelioma is based on histological analyzes. Immunohistochemical stains are useful for diagnosis, but the right combination of antibodies as positive or negative markers should be selected and a full evaluation of the results of staining is necessary. The accuracy of pathological diagnosis is very important for patients because they can receive official compensation or relief when the diagnosis of mesothelioma disease is confirmed. Under current conditions, c...

If You Have Malignant Mesothelioma

Cancer can start anywhere in the body. Malignant mesothelioma is cancer that begins in the linings of certain parts of the body. This cancer occurs more often in the lining of the chest or abdomen (belly). It occurs when cells in the lining grow out of control and outnumber normal cells. This makes it difficult for the body to function the way it should. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in the lining can sometimes travel to nearby organs and tissues and grow there. When cancer cells spread, what is known as a metastasis occurs. For doctors, the cancer cells at the new site are identical to those in the lining. Cancer is always named after the place where it started. Therefore, when mesothelioma in the chest spreads to the spine (or anywhere else), it is still called mesothelioma. It can only be called bone cancer if it has started from cells in the bones of the spine. Different types of mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma begi...

Mesothelioma Pathology Outlines

Search This Blog