Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
07:54

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice

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Malignant pleural mesothelioma: current treatments and emerging drugs

Carmen Belli1, Dean Fennell, Monica Giovannini

  • 1San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Oncology Department, 60 Olgettina Street, Milan 20132, Italy. belli.carmen@hsr.it

Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs
|June 26, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) treatment is evolving. This review covers current options, molecular pathways, and novel agents in clinical trials for this rare cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Medical Oncology

Background:

  • Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) incidence is rising globally.
  • Standard treatments for resectable MPM include surgery and radiotherapy.
  • Chemotherapy's optimal use (neoadjuvant, adjuvant, intrapleural) for MPM requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current treatment options for malignant pleural mesothelioma.
  • To discuss activated signal pathways in MPM.
  • To highlight novel therapeutic agents currently in clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review including abstracts and published papers.
  • Analysis of presentations from ASCO meetings.
  • Inclusion of data from clinicaltrials.gov.

Main Results:

  • Summarizes the efficacy of chemotherapy in MPM.
  • Presents an overview of novel agents under investigation.
  • Highlights the standard chemotherapy regimen for unresectable MPM (cisplatin and pemetrexed/ralitrexed).

Conclusions:

  • Understanding MPM molecular pathways is crucial for developing new therapies.
  • Novel targeted agents show promise for future MPM treatment.
  • Continued research aims to improve therapeutic options for MPM patients.

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