Researching a Mesothelioma Cure

Reasons for hope

There is no known cure for malignant mesothelioma.  But recent developments in drugs and medical procedures may extend lives and alleviate pain and suffering. These developments are providing reasons for hope.  Ongoing research efforts create new possibilities.  Currently, there are many clinical trials underway, with others on the horizon.  There is also government support for the search for a cure for malignant mesothelioma.

Active clinical trials

Traditional treatment options have not been successful in curing malignant mesothelioma.  However, combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have extended the lifespan of some victims—especially when the mesothelioma was diagnosed at an early stage.  New combinations and changes to therapies also seem like promising approaches for doctors and scientists researching a mesothelioma cure.

Many patients participate in mesothelioma clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.  These clinical trials test newly developed medications and treatment regimes. Each trial brings medical researchers closer to finding treatments that will make mesothelioma a manageable condition where people can live longer and more comfortably.

Government support for researching a mesothelioma cure

Researching a mesothelioma cure is an expensive and time-consuming proposition. This disease affects about 3,000 people yearly in the United States. Because it only affects a small amount of people, drug companies and researchers would not find it profitable to invest in research without government support. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan disease status to mesothelioma. This designation provides tax credits and marketing incentives to pharmaceutical companies for researching drugs and treatments with the potential to cure mesothelioma.