A new study released by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has shown that a groundbreaking new immunotherapy drug called “pembrolizumab” (also known as “Keytruda”) stopped tumor growth in 76 percent of patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The disease develops in the tissue that covers the internal organs, called the mesothelium. The cancer most commonly develops as a result of on-the-job asbestos exposure. Patients diagnosed with the disease typically have around a year to survive after discovering it, and there is a long latency period, poor prognosis, and lack of a unified screening test.
The University of Chicago Medical Center is now opening a phase II clinical trial for pembrolizumab and seeking new patients to participate in the study. In addition, there are almost 100 other clinical trials currently testing the drug.
However, it is important to note that, although pembrolizumab has been U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, the FDA has not yet specifically approved it for the treatment of mesothelioma.
How Pembrolizumab Works
Pembrolizumab works by inhibiting the ability for gene mutations to allow the tumor cells to grow in spite of the body’s immune system. The drug effectively unmasks the tumor cells so that the immune system can destroy them.
Most surprisingly, none of the patients that were a part of the UPenn study had unexpected side effects and there were no patient deaths related to the treatment. Essentially, all the study participants were able to continue taking the treatment, which is unique with new drug trials.
Having a new drug that can stop the growth of these tumors without causing serious side effects can provide hope to patients living with mesothelioma.
Legal Representation
If you have developed mesothelioma, an experienced attorney can help you figure out how you were exposed to asbestos and who should be responsible for your claim. Harrell & Nowak have been working with victims of mesothelioma for years, and our asbestos attorneys have represented many people who have suffered as a result of their exposure. Some of our medical claims for our clients have included:
- A $500,000 settlement for personal injuries in a medical malpractice case for the wrongful death and the survival damages for the husband and son of a young woman who died from a subarachnoid bleed in her brain. Her death was caused by a medical error where the doctor prescribed an excessive amount of the pharmaceutical drug coumadin following the birth of her child;
- A $450,000 personal injury award obtained for the wrongful death and survival actions in a medical malpractice action for the parents of an 18 year old college student who died following improper treatment by the emergency room for the treatment of asthma;
- $230,000 obtained for the personal injuries of a young woman who was the victim of medical malpractice. The surgeon who performed an emergency cesarean section left a surgical sponge (laparotomy pad) in her body and this medical mistake caused an abdominal infection that required abdominal surgery to remove the surgical sponge; and
- A $10,000 settlement for our client’s personal injuries in a medical malpractice case where our client was burned by a bovie pad during surgery.
If you are suffering from mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, call the New Orleans mesothelioma lawyers at Harrell & Nowak to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our staff.