Experimental Treatment of Mesothelioma
New treatments for mesothelioma are being researched and discovered all the time. Many times patients will seek out any new treatment in place of, or in addition to, standard treatments to try and increase the chances of a cure and recovery. These uncertain treatment methods are worth exploring since they can often be used at the same time as other mesothelioma treatment options.
- Gene therapy - This experimental high-tech mesothelioma treatment involves altering the patient's own genetic material in their cells in order to fight the mesothelioma cancer. Gene therapy consists of injecting a modified gene into the patient. The goal of gene therapy is to introduce cells with those that are good copies of the ones with damaged, missing or altered genes.
- Immunotherapy - Immunotherapy is a new experimental therapy that uses the body's natural defenses to fight mesothelioma cancer. The therapy can include activating the body&339;s own immune system to more effectively kill the cancer or it may use an outside agent such as manufactured proteins that boost the immune system. This mesothelioma treatment is most often used along with at least one other type of cancer treatment therapy.
- Photodynamic Therapy - Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a very experimental treatment that uses a light photosensitizing agent with a source of light that is strong enough to destroy mesothelioma cancer cells. The idea is that the photosensitizing agent deposits more easily in the cancer cells than in normal healthy cells. When the chemical agent is later exposed to strong light, it combines with oxygen and creates different chemicals that have the ability to kill mesothelioma cancer cells.
For additional information on gene therapy, please contact us.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best mesothelioma treatment choice. Mesothelioma clinical trials are an accepted part of the cancer research process and may be done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment. Many of the standard treatments today for mesothelioma cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. Mesothelioma patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive a standard treatment or they may be among the first patients to receive a new treatment.
All mesothelioma patients who are involved with a clinical trial also help improve how the cancer will be treated in the future. Even those times when clinical drug trials do not result in effective new cancer treatments they may answer important questions and help move mesothelioma cancer research forward.
For extensive information on clinical trials, new mesothelioma treatment options, mesothelioma doctors, sources of exposure to asbestos, and financial assistance information, please fill out the form for a free information packet that will be sent to you at no cost. Or if you prefer, you may call our Mesothelioma Treatment Help Line at 800-300-1460 and ask questions or order the packet from a helpline operator.
