Baylor Mesothelioma Patient Sees Enormous Benefits From Immunotherapy

Mesothelioma patients looking for hope need look no further than a just-released profile published on Baylor College of Medicine’s website. It shines a light on the tremendous benefits being realized by Samir Tanios, a patient being treated at the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Oncologist Suggestion of Immunotherapy Treatment Was a Game Changer

It’s been more than a year since Samir Tanios was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. At that time he was extremely weak, unable to climb stairs or take a deep breath. He suffered from relentless pain and his prognosis was estimated at six to nine months. After a surgeon told him that he was too weak to withstand surgery, he sought help at the Baylor College of Medicine’s Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Rather than offering Mr. Tanios chemotherapy, oncologist Dr. Daniel Wang suggested that because of his particular type of mesothelioma, he would be a good candidate for the checkpoint inhibitor called Nivolumab.  “This particular therapy was considered for Samir because he was diagnosed with biphasic mesothelioma with predominant sarcomatoid type, which is an aggressive form of mesothelioma that does not respond well to traditional chemotherapy,” Wang said. “Additionally, we didn’t feel he could tolerate chemotherapy in his condition. Therefore, given the favorable safety profile and activity seen in recent clinical trials with immune checkpoint inhibitors, we decided on treatment with nivolumab.”

Impact of Treatment Seen Quickly

Three months after beginning treatment, Mr. Tanios’ mesothelioma tumors began to shrink and he began feeling better. Though he did develop Type 1 diabetes after the treatment, he says that the difference between his condition at the time of his diagnosis and his current state of wellbeing is remarkable. A year ago he was in constant pain, and today he is able to travel, exercise and enjoy his life.

If you’ve been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need information on innovative treatments or any other resource, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at  1-800-692-8608.

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

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