2024 has seen a number of promising studies for mesothelioma treatments. In particular, immunotherapy drugs have become more helpful for patients. Read on to learn about some of the past year’s research highlights.
Keytruda® (Pembrolizumab) Approved for Mesothelioma
In September 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new immunotherapy drug to treat inoperable pleural mesothelioma. The drug is an immune checkpoint inhibitor called Keytruda® (pembrolizumab). It allows the immune system to fight cancer.
The FDA approved the specific combination of Keytruda with standard chemotherapy. The clinical trial looked at patients receiving just chemo and those receiving chemo and Keytruda. The group that got both drugs lived about a month longer than the group that got chemo only. This means mesothelioma patients have more treatment options than ever.
Opdivo® (Nivolumab) and Yervoy® (Ipilimumab) Continue Helping Mesothelioma Patients
Opdivo and Yervoy are also immune checkpoint inhibitors. This combination earned FDA approval for treating pleural mesothelioma in 2020. The original trial didn’t include many Latin American patients, so a newer trial focused on this group.
The results agreed with those of previous studies. The median survival was 22 months. This is about 10 months better than the survival historically found with standard chemo. This study shows Opdivo and Yervoy can be effective for Latin American mesothelioma patients.
UV1 Treatment Lands on FDA Fast Track
In 2024, the FDA granted a Fast Track status to the UV1 cancer vaccine. This status means the FDA will speed up the process of formally approving the treatment. Like immunotherapy drugs, cancer vaccines teach the immune system to attack tumors. UV1 targets an enzyme called telomerase that cancer cells need to thrive.
The Fast Track status applies to UV1 taken alongside Opdivo and Yervoy. This combination treats inoperable pleural mesothelioma. The Fast Track status comes following a promising clinical trial. All patients received Opdivo and Yervoy, and some also received UV1. Those who received all 3 had a 27% lower death risk. If UV1 gains full FDA approval, it will be the first cancer vaccine approved for treating mesothelioma.
Immunotherapy Surprises
A 67-year-old man with pleural mesothelioma had a staggering response to immunotherapy. He went through several rounds of treatment, including an aggressive surgery. None of those therapies stopped his cancer. Then, doctors offered him Keytruda, which he accepted. After 12 cycles, he no longer had any sign of mesothelioma. At his last check-in, more than 5 years after diagnosis, he was still in remission. For comparison, pleural mesothelioma life expectancy is usually around 18 months.
A similar situation happened to a 59-year-old man with peritoneal mesothelioma. After chemo couldn’t stop the tumor’s growth, his doctors prescribed Keytruda. The tumors stopped growing and then started to shrink. After a few years, he was in complete remission. He reported a high quality of life 5 years after diagnosis. For comparison, the average life expectancy for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is 31 months.
Each of these studies included only one patient. More research is required to see if Keytruda could be as effective in other mesothelioma patients. But for now, these cases provide at least some reason to hope.
What Does This Mean for Mesothelioma Patients?
2024 was a promising year for mesothelioma research. Doctors continue to find new ways to improve patient prognosis and quality of life. As more clinical trials move into 2025, we will keep you updated on further advancements.
