Treating Mesothelioma: More about Novel Therapies

Cancers evolve a number of mechanisms in order to survive. One of the mechanisms they use is usurping the normal growth factors which all living cells use. A growth factor can be compared to a key in the ignition switch of a car. When the key is inserted into the key slot, electricity passes and the engine starts. Many novel targeted agents that block these growth factors are currently being investigated in mesothelioma patients, including:

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors

Mesothelioma patients often have higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor than patients with any other solid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of a number of growth factors associated with angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) that is essential for tumor growth and spread. Blocking this growth factor is a new and exciting approach to mesothelioma treatment. Many experimental drugs, such as bevacizumab (Avastin), SU5416, thalidomide, and PTK787, work in this way. Studies are showing that these drugs, used alone or in combination with other therapies, can directly attack mesothelioma tumors. The University of Chicago investigator Dr Hedy Kindler was the first physician to study SU5416 and bevacizimab in mesothelioma.

Learn more about Dr Kindler

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors

Some mesothelioma tumors have high levels of another growth factor, the epidermal growth factor receptor, on their surface. Promising new therapies are being tested that address this specific problem. Two examples, ZD1839 (Iressa) and OSI-774 (Tarceva) are taken in pill form. Iressa was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in lung cancer in May 2003. It has been studied in mesothelioma but with only modest benefit seen.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Inhibitors

Mesothelioma cells frequently over-express another growth factor, the platelet-derived growth factor that is caused by a genetic abnormality. Agents are now being tested that inhibit the development of this growth factor. Gleevec, and PTK787, which are available in pill form, are exciting examples of this class of drugs.

Purine synthesis inhibitors

Purines are one of the major components of DNA, the building block of life. Cancer cells must make purines to grow and divide. Most cancer cells can make purines in two different ways, but many mesothelioma cells have a specific genetic defect so that they can only make purines one way. Agents are now being tested that block purine synthesis in genetically susceptible cancer cells. SDX-102 (L-alanosine) is an exciting example of this class of drugs being tested at The University of Chicago.