FDA Approves Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Novel Mesothelioma Treatment

The quest for a safe and effective treatment for malignant mesothelioma got a boost this month when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has accepted an application for a phase 1 clinical investigation of a new drug, ATA2271. The drug is ATA2271, a mesothelin targeting CAR T-cell therapy developed by Atara Biotherapeutics.

Prior Studies Support Safety and Effectiveness of Drug Being Tested for Mesothelioma

Emerging treatments are the future of treating malignant mesothelioma. According to Atara’s global head of Research and Development, Jakob Dupont, the approval from the FDA for testing their drug against advanced mesothelioma follows positive results from prior laboratory studies of its impact on solid tumors. 

“We are pleased the FDA has cleared the IND for ATA2271 for the treatment of advanced mesothelioma,” he said. “This milestone marks an important moment in the advancement of cell and gene immunotherapy for patients, for the field and for Atara. As the first-ever CAR T therapy leveraging the combination of PD1DNR checkpoint inhibition and 1XX CAR signaling technologies to enter the clinic, we are advancing such a unique CAR T program with the goal of developing transformative therapies for patients with solid tumors.”

Encouraging Data for Use of New Technology in Treating Mesothelioma

News of Atara’s success with ATA2271 in the treatment of solid tumors like mesothelioma was presented earlier this year the 2020 American Association for Cancer Research Virtual Annual Meeting. It showed that the treatment led to serial cell killing, improvements in functional persistence, less cell exhaustion and better effectiveness when compared with first-generation mesothelin CAR T-cell therapy. The newly approved phase 1 clinical trial will be led by Roisin E. O’Cearbhaill MD, a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you are interested in participating in clinical trials of any of the novel technologies or drugs that are under investigation, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us 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.

Learn more about and contact Terri