Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that’s associated with exposure to asbestos. Patients who are suffering from this condition are often diagnosed once it’s advanced to the point that it’s fatal. One issue is that the treatments for this terminal condition are severely limited.
A new trial that was led by researchers at the University of Leicester is showing promise as an emerging treatment. It involves the use of a medication called niraparib, which is a class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors.
This drug can block cancer cells from repairing their own DNA, which can slow their growth and potentially kill them. Niraparib is particularly useful when mesothelioma has become more aggressive after earlier treatments.
Limited benefits, but still an improvement
The study involved 88 patients, some who received the drug and some who received a placebo. The group that received the drug had a 27% reduction in death or disease progression when compared to the other group. The average time before the disease began to worsen was approximately 1.5 months.
Because mesothelioma is such an aggressive form of cancer, even small improvements can be meaningful to the patients. Advances like the one that’s possible with this new treatment could mean a little more time with family, but it can also mean more time to feel a little better.
Mesothelioma comes with major life changes, all of which point to the patient needing to focus on time with their loved ones and getting the best medical care possible. Seeking compensation for the damages related to mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos is possible, but this often requires the assistance of someone familiar with legal matters.