In the last several years, targeted therapies have shown great promise in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, but the rare, asbestos-related form of cancer continues to claim lives. In an attempt to find a more effective method of delivering these state-of-the-art drugs, researchers from the Hyogo College of Medicine have developed a minimally invasive, orally inhalable treatment that they hope patients will someday be able to administer themselves.
Mesothelioma Researchers Combine Gene Therapy with Inhalant Powder
The researchers set out to find a method of delivering mesothelioma gene therapy in a less invasive way. Gene therapy had previously proven effective at inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, but the only available delivery technique uses viral vectors.
Hoping to find a way for mesothelioma patients to administer this treatment themselves, they identified inhalable dry powder particles capable of local drug delivery deep in the lungs of lab animals infected with mesothelioma. They found that they were able to combine those particles with the tumor suppression gene.
Evaluation of Impact on Mesothelioma Cells Showed Inhibitory Effect
After creating this novel delivery method, the researchers tested the effect of the inhalable gene drugs on malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines in mice. They found that transfected cells demonstrated inhibited growth rate and that tumor growth had been suppressed, with tumor volume significantly smaller than that of the animals that received placebo treatment.
In their discussion of the treatment, the researchers noted that current delivery of gene therapy to mesothelioma patients requires intravenous or local administration. Their approach provides “an orally inhalable gene drug by combining tumor suppressor genes with an inhalant power that can deliver active ingredients directly to the lungs in a noninvasive manner.” They suggest that their approach is both effective and can improve patients’ quality of life.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, research like this offers significant hope. For information on how to access resources, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
