Mesothelioma Research

Recent years have shown considerable progress in mesothelioma research and clinical trials.
Technology

Although there is still no early detection for mesothelioma, there have been advances in technology. Now anyone who has knowingly been exposed to asbestos may have these tests performed:
Chest x-ray – useful to see if there is anything abnormal in the chest.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan – helps to determine if an abnormality in the chest is mesothelioma or some other non-malignant tumor.
Computer Tomography (CT) scans – can create detailed images of the chest and show any abnormalities.
Clinical Trials

As far as current research there is an on-going field trial for a new drug called Alimta (Pemetrexed). This is to be used in conjunction with Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug, which interferes with cancer cell growth. Alimta is intended to stop cancer cell multiplication.

This drug has been approved by the FDA for mesothelioma patients, particularly when surgery is not an option. It needs to be remembered that this drug is new and there are few records yet to prove effectiveness. On the positive side, however, there are reports of a 54-year old patient in Africa who participated in this treatment and returned to work after five treatments.

Interesting and positive research work is also being done at the Josson Cancer Center. A drug, Tarceva, is being combined with anti-inflammatory drug, Celebrex. Apparently this combination has an increased response rate of three times on cancer patients. Again, these are only initial findings and need to be validated before this treatment can be approved as safe and effective.