New gene therapy shows promise as mesothelioma treatment

Current Treatment Options in Oncology is soon to publish an article reporting affects of gene therapy on malignant mesothelioma. Gene therapy is a new, cutting edge treatment using a viral structure to deliver genetic change agents to target areas. Negative effects of a virus are removed, leaving just ‘search and attach’ characteristics of the virus. This structure piggy-backs change agent cells prepared to modify genetic make-up of target tissues.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting about three thousand Americans each year and an estimated twenty thousand worldwide. Mesothelioma is caused by toxic asbestos fibers which can begin a cancerous development of organ lining if inhaled or ingested. This development begins with a latency period of twenty to fifty years, going unnoticed by patients. When signs do demonstrate mesothelioma has reached its aggressive stage.  Symptoms mimic those of bronchitis and pneumonia, however, making it difficult to recognize. Once a proper diagnosis is made, mesothelioma patients receive a grim prognosis. Mesothelioma life expectancy ranges from six months to several years. Mesothelioma is considered a fatal cancer and is without cure.
When gene therapy change agent cells are released into the body, they target mesothelioma cells to deliver one of three genetic modifications: agent cells can begin a process of cell death in mesothelioma cells, heighten susceptibility to treatment choices, or inhibit cell reproduction which stops cancer spread.


According to gene therapy researchers, this new treatments could be quite beneficial in the fight against mesothelioma on several counts. Mesothelioma tumors are characterized by a large cell surface area, this allows change agent cells higher accuracy in delivery of genetic modifications. Also, mesothelioma tumors tend to be clustered together in the early stages of the disease; if an early diagnosis could be made, change agent cells could have a larger target area, rather than scattered smaller ones. This would quicken delivery and response of gene therapy options.
There are currently two gene therapy trials under way, both sponsored by National Cancer Institute and being conducted at University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center. They are ‘Intrapleural Gene Transfer for Pleural Mesothelioma’ and ‘Combination Gene Transfer and Chemotherapy.’ Authors of the recent study say gene therapy has ‘shown safety and some limited evidence of efficacy.’