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Updated: May 26, 2026

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
Published on: December 21, 2019
Novel therapies in phase II and III trials for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Marjorie G Zauderer1, Lee M Krug
1Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Abstract:
Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy of the pleura with limited therapeutic options. Despite the desperate need to develop better treatment for this disease, the rarity of the tumor type creates formidable challenges in clinical research. Nonetheless, several novel agents are under investigation. Most efforts are directed toward improving standard first-line therapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin, or developing effective second-line treatments. Several classes of drugs are being explored, including those that impact DNA transcription, cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance. This article describes several ongoing or recently completed phase II and III trials using novel agents vorinostat, everolimus, CBP501, MORAb-009, NGR-hTNF, WT1 vaccine, bevacizumab, cediranib, and thalidomide.
Insights
Mesothelioma, a rare pleural cancer, has few treatments. Researchers are investigating novel agents and improving current therapies like pemetrexed and cisplatin to find better options for this challenging disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Mesothelioma is a rare pleural malignancy with limited therapeutic options.
- The rarity of mesothelioma presents significant challenges for clinical research and treatment development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel therapeutic agents and ongoing clinical trials for mesothelioma.
- To explore strategies for improving both first-line and second-line treatments for this rare cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of ongoing and recently completed Phase II and III clinical trials.
- Investigation of novel agents targeting DNA transcription, cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance.
Main Results:
- Several novel agents including vorinostat, everolimus, CBP501, MORAb-009, NGR-hTNF, WT1 vaccine, bevacizumab, cediranib, and thalidomide are under investigation.
- Efforts are focused on enhancing standard first-line therapy (pemetrexed and cisplatin) and developing effective second-line treatments.
Conclusions:
- Novel agents targeting diverse pathways show promise for mesothelioma treatment.
- Continued clinical research is crucial to overcome the challenges posed by mesothelioma's rarity and limited therapeutic options.
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