A study evaluating the effectiveness of an antibody to stop the growth of mesothelin, a protein excessively produced in tumors present in mesothelioma patients, began March 2.
Morphotek, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company and subsidiary of Eisai Corporation of North America, initiated Phase II of the study of its MORAb-009 monoclonal antibody to assess the capabilities of the drug in collaboration with the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and cisplatin to sustain progression-free survival for patients with locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that progresses in the mesothelial cells that line many organs and body cavities. The cancer is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and a mesothelioma cure does not currently exist.
Morphotek anticipates up to 86 participants in the clinical study. The patients used in the study, which is being conducted at clinical centers internationally, include those diagnosed with locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma who have not received prior treatment.
“We are excited to have initiated this Phase II study of MORAb-009 in mesothelioma in cooperation with leading physician-scientists,” Chief Medical Officer of Morphotek Martin D. Phillips, M.D. stated. Phillips notes that while mesothelioma generally has a poor prognosis, Morphotek hopes that MORAb-009 will one day provide benefits and hope to patients with mesothelioma.
MORAb-009 blocks the function of mesothelin which is thought to advance growth and metastasis of mesothelioma tumors. Preclinical data supports the theory that the drug will first block mesothelin’s ability to interact with its target and also stimulate the patient’s immune system to attack the tumor by destroying those cells bound by MORAb-009.
Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States annually, comprising about 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. Globally approximately 43,000 deaths occur each year as result of mesothelioma, with 2,500 deaths occurring in the United States. While all forms of mesothelioma (except for benign mesothelioma) are invariable fatal, treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery may help a patient’s prognosis.
For more information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.