New EU Clinical Trial Database Key to Finding Studies on Alternative Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and is most commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. To date there is no cure for the cancer, although ongoing research is being conducted to find a much-needed medical breakthrough to treat the pulmonary disease.
The primary method researchers use to validate the efficacy of investigational drugs is through a clinical trial, one of the final stages of a long and specific cancer research process. In an effort to enhance the ability for patients and physicians to find pertinent clinical trials in the EU, the European Commission’s Directorate for public health and risk assessment has recently launched the EU Clinical Trials Register website.
John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, said, “The register launched is good news for patients as it will allow them to get easier information about clinical trials going on in the EU, possibly giving access to important new treatment. It is also of great interest to healthcare professionals and carers, the research community and industry.”
Currently, there are 6,853 clinical trials listed in the EU Clinical Trials Register, although the sponsors estimate that 10,000 trials are ongoing at any given time. Users can find information on the design of each clinical trial, the sponsor, the investigational medicinal products and therapeutic areas involved and the status of the clinical trial.
Approximately 16 of the clinical trials listed in the database are related to malignant mesothelioma research including: “Phase I/II study with cisplatin and pemetrexed +/- sorafenib in malignant pleural mesothelioma”, and “Treatment of malignant mesothelioma with pemetrexed (Alimta) + platinum (4 courses) or pemetrexed (Alimta) + platinum (4 courses) followed by Caelyx single drug (4 courses).”
Mesothelioma causes an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 deaths per year worldwide. In the UK there are 4,000 asbestos victims each year, and the UK now has the highest death rate in the world from mesothelioma, with over 2,000 deaths a year. Even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can create a risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
For the thousands of patients diagnosed worldwide with mesothelioma each year, clinical trials may offer the best available treatment as well as the opportunity to receive new, potentially more effective therapies.
The European Medicines Agency is responsible for the day-to-day management of the online register.
To find a list of clinical trials maintained by the NIH related to mesothelioma see ClinicalTrials.gov.
