Clinical Trial for a Gentler Chemotherapy Treatment for Mesothelioma Patients is on the Horizon
Professor George Kannourakis of Ballarat Cancer Research Center in Australia hopes to launch a series of clinical trials focused on mesothelioma and lung cancer patients. The clinical trials will be used to identify a method that will administer chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor, destroying only the cancerous cells while preserving healthy cells. The pioneer research for this trial was launched about three years ago.
Chemotherapy is vital in the treatment of mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. However, the loss of healthy cells can result in side effects, such as low blood cell counts, thinned or brittle hair, loss of appetite or weight, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, that can be difficult for patients to manage and can sometimes outweigh the benefits of chemotherapy.
A clinical trial is a critical stage in the arduous cancer research process and is important for finding a cure for mesothelioma. Studies are conducted with cancer patients to determine whether a new approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis or treatment is safe and effective. They may also offer the best available treatment for mesothelioma patients as well as the opportunity to receive new, potentially more effective therapies.
The Ballarat Center clinical trials are expected to last three years at a cost of $1.5 million dollars. The Research Center receives funding from a special program of the Australian Research Institute, but will also need private financial support in order to conduct the trials.
For open mesothelioma clinical trials see ClinicalTrials.gov.
