An experimental procedure in the pipeline for the treatment of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung’s pleural lining, has shown efficacy in treating a wide range of cancers, including ovarian and non-small-cell lung cancers. The drug VS-6063, generic name defactinib, is in crucial phase II clinical trials wherein it is being administered to 180 cancer sufferers.
The drug targets stem cells within mesothelioma tumors to stop their growth. Stem cells have consistently made headlines in recent years due to their intriguing potential for therapies and the controversy over embryonic stem cell research. While stem cells provide hope for sufferers of many diseases with no treatments or cures, they are not always helpful.
How Does VS-6063 Work?
In mesothelioma tumors, stem cells represent only a small percentage of cells but are a major factor in tumor resistance to chemotherapy.
VS-6063 works by targeting a specific protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) within stem cells and acts by disrupting the protein, essentially removing the stem cell’s ability to function, leading to the tumor’s inability to grow further. A combined therapy of VS-6063 and pemetrexed chemotherapy can lead to a slowing of mesothelioma’s progression and a more positive prognosis for sufferers.
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Source: http://www.asbestos.com/news/2015/01/16/new-clinical-trial-defactinib-vs6063/