A study led by mesothelioma researchers from the University of Pisa in Italy has revealed that cephalomannine, a taxane compound structurally related to paclitaxel, demonstrates potent anticancer properties against pleural mesothelioma. The groundbreaking research, published in the journal BMC Cancer, revealed that mice with human mesothelioma tumors treated with the drug survived a median of 75 days compared to only 55 days for untreated controls. This represents a significant improvement in overall survival and offers real hope for victims of this aggressive, treatment-resistant asbestos-related cancer.
Mesothelioma Cells Targeted Through Multiple Cellular Mechanisms
According to researchers, pleural mesothelioma cancer cells displayed profound disruption of their metabolic activities after exposure to cephalomannine. The compound decreased oxygen consumption rates in mesothelioma cells while at the same time leaving non-malignant mesothelial cells relatively unaffected. The difference in effect between cancerous versus normal cells is an important indication of both safety and specificity.
The scientists discovered that cephalomannine impairs the energy production pathways that mesothelioma cells rely on, and this may trigger metabolic stress that sensitizes tumors to death signals. The compound also significantly increased the production of elements within mesothelioma cells that induced oxidative stress at levels that contribute to cancer cell death.
Mesothelioma Cell Death Promoted Through Apoptosis Pathway Activation
Mesothelioma cells exposed to cephalomannine displayed increased protein expression of BAX, a molecule that promotes or causes a highly regulated process of programmed cell death. At the same time, they showed decreased levels of Bcl-2, which has the opposite impact, fighting cell death in cancer cell lines. This shift in ratio works to promote the elimination of malignant cells through a process based on causing cell death rather than through inflammation, as is true of other treatments being used for the rare disease. This could eliminate or reduce the side effects linked to inflammatory responses caused by the other two drugs tested in the study – fludarabine and crenolanib— both of which failed to demonstrate significant effectiveness in the test.
The researchers concluded that treatment options for mesothelioma could expand significantly if future clinical trials confirm cephalomannine’s safety and effectiveness in humans, and could even potentially revolutionize the standard of care for patients. They are working toward investigations to test dose optimization and gauge toxicity, and determining whether it would be best used as a monotherapy or in combination with existing chemotherapeutics to overcome resistance.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, breakthroughs like these offer real hope. For more information on resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
