Research into cancer treatments has completely shifted the medical options for people with many different types of cancer. For example, breast cancer used to have a much lower five-year survival rate, and many patients had to undergo radical surgeries, aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Modern patients may have a range of treatment options, including immunotherapies, and a much higher chance of survival.
Sadly, mesothelioma, which is a cancer that begins in the lining of the organs, has not seen similar success regarding the development of new treatments. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently designated a drug for fast-track review because it shows promise in helping treat mesothelioma.
A new promising treatment is on its way to human clinical trials
The FDA, after reviewing evidence of early research on a drug, wants to speed up the review process if the drug proves to be both safe and effective. The drug in question, SynKIR-110, is a novel anti-tumor medication that uses T-cells to combat tumors.
Early research involving animals performed by Verismo Therapeutics reportedly showed maintained anti-tumor activity after treatment with the drug. The fast-track designation speeds up the process of beginning human clinical trials. The company aims to test the drug on 42 patients, and the enrollment process is currently ongoing.
Obviously, given that the five-year survival rate for mesothelioma is very low and that the treatment expenses for the ineffective forms of surgery and chemotherapy currently employed in modern medical settings are very high, many people are eager to see if this or other novel treatment options could both improve survival rates and make treatment more affordable and therefore more accessible.
The good news for those struggling with mesothelioma and worried about covering the costs of experimental care is that an asbestos-related compensation claim may give someone the ability to connect with that cutting-edge, potentially life-saving treatment.
Those who bring an asbestos-related mesothelioma claim against a former employer or a business that exposed them to asbestos could recoup some of their losses and being a better position to afford treatments that could improve their quality of life and their chance of survival. Tracking changes to mesothelioma care and asbestos liability rules can benefit those worried about eventually falling ill or recently diagnosed with mesothelioma after working with asbestos in the past.