Welcome to the Part Three of our coverage of the topic of mesothelioma and recent immunotherapy research.
Can we make patients Immune to tumor building Cells?
For the last two blog articles, we have been discussing the work of Dr. Arnaud Scherpereel, MD, PhD., whose recent drug trials have brought hope to many mesothelioma patients. As promised, we now bring you Part III of the information.
Dr. Scherpereel, MD, PhD.is the head of the Pulmonary and Thoracic Oncology Department at the University Hospital of Lille in Lille, France, where he recently conducted drug trials with very interesting early results. One group of mesothelioma patients utilized nivolumab alone. Likewise, his second group used nivolumab-plus-ipilimumab. Please take this opportunity to read or review our previous blog to prepare for the information in this week’s article, Part 3 of our topic, mesothelioma.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Side Effects:
In any new treatment regime, we must think about the problems that might be caused by side effects. The side effects were mild on the whole and they included thyroid problems and colon inflammation. A few patients on the new immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs endured skin rashes. Only 10% of the patients in the nivolumab reported these annoyances. In the nivolumab-plus-ipilimumab group, 18% of the patients faced more severe attacks from these side effects. Sadly, we must report that 3 of the 125 very ill patients died of treatment-related causes.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Medicine of the Future, Now
This will not be the only immunotherapy study you will discover in the near future if you are pursuing an interest in mesothelioma. There are many more clinical trials continuing. They are exploring nivolumab and other immune checkpoint inhibitors both as second or third-line weapons against MPM (pleural mesothelioma.) In addition, scientists are investigating immune checkpoint inhibitors as initial therapy for MPM in on-going and future studies.
Using Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Activate the Body’s Defense
Dr. Scherpereel explained how immunotherapy fights the cells of MPM. He stated, “Mesothelioma cells build a protective tumor microenvironment to shield themselves against the immune system’s attacks…” He added that this microenvironment dampens the body’s natural “anti-tumor immune response.”
He simplified the immune response and the use of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, stating, “Therefore, therapies that shift the tumor microenvironment from a state of immune suppression to one of immune activation may hold promise in MPM.”
Drug Trials on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Show Promise.
FLASS noted that, as in the cases of many impressive research studies, Dr. Scherpereel stated the need for more studies in immunotherapy. Look for more new research in upcoming blogs on finding ways like immune checkpoint inhibitors, to simply make the body immune to cancer building cells. In fact, the right immune checkpoint inhibitors might even destroy the cancer cells tumor micro-environment so they could not grow.
“Our findings suggest that immunotherapy may provide new hope to patients with relapsed mesothelioma.” However, he was quick to add cautions against hasty conclusions. “This randomized phase II trial may be enough to support the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting, but it is too early to conclude whether nivolumab alone or the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab is better.”
As always, FLASS sees the future of medicine as the union of inspired efforts on three levels: extraordinary patient care, expert technology and exceptional research. The success of immunotherapy in the fight against Mesothelioma, as well as other critical diseases, depend on all three working together.
Have An Amazing Independence Day!
The doctors and staff of Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists send you Happy Fourth of July Wishes!
We celebrate this week because we are proud to be a part of a great country. We cherish the spirit of freedom and we hope our joy in independence will always be highly treasured by each generation.
Happy Independence Day! FLASS Cautions: Have Fun, but watch Your Triggers!
As you celebrate with picnics, parades, fun, family, friends and fireworks, we caution those with respiratory problems to remember they are not immune to their triggers.
For example, the smoke from those fireworks that blaze across the night sky can instigate an asthma attack or exacerbate a COPD condition. Remember, FLASS doctors and medical professionals are always looking out for you!
We close by dedicating this July 4th Week and this Blog to all those who serve or have served in the US military, helping to preserve the American way of life. We know we must never take our liberty for granted. In an anonymous quote, we hear words of warning:
“It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.”
So please join FLASS in heartfelt gratitude for the chance to honor this country with our celebrations. We close with this inspiring thought “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
