In preparation for her presentation at the PER New York Lung Cancer Symposium, Marjorie G. Zauderer, M.D., co-director of the MSK Mesothelioma Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, provided an interview to the journal OncLive. Her responses gave a glimpse into the future of the disease’s treatment options, as well as a hopeful view of patient outcomes.
Multiple Mesothelioma Protocols Being Explored
Dr. Zauderer spoke extensively about the tremendous strides that have been made in the last twelve years in treating malignant mesothelioma. Though she acknowledges that the disease continues to be a challenge, she believes that the many possibilities that are currently being explored have given rise to a different attitude about the disease. “Even just from when I started 10 to 12 years ago until now, the progress we have made has been slow, with only 1 approval, but it’s really snowballing now in terms of biology and the discoveries and the models that we have to study and ask the right questions. We should all be optimistic about the things that we can do. Outcomes still have a long way to go, but they’re so much better than they used to be,” she said.
In addition to citing the recent FDA approval of ipilimumab and nivolumab, she pointed to research and trials that are meant to identify which mesothelioma patients will respond best to each type of treatment available, as well as the various methods available for triggering patients’ immune systems. Targeted therapy is also an exciting prospect whose potential has only just begun to be realized.
The Best Mesothelioma Treatment Continues to be Found at High-Volume Centers
The research that is being done at facilities like the MSK Mesothelioma Program have greatly benefited patients diagnosed with the rare, asbestos-related disease, and especially those who seek care at high-volume centers. Zauderer said that getting patients to a facility with experience in the treatment of the rare disease remains a challenge.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need access to the type of expertise offered at a high-volume treatment center, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
