Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma, an asbestos-linked cancer that affects the lining of chest, lung, and/or abdominal cavity. However, several mesothelioma clinical trials are underway to test new procedures and treatments to beat the cancer. Mesothelioma clinical trials are research studies aimed at finding new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat the disease. All mesothelioma clinical trials are divided into steps or phases, which allow scientists to ask and answer questions in such a way as to obtain the most reliable information about a certain procedure or treatment. Phasing mesothelioma clinical trials also protects the participants. These phases include:

  Phase I: New procedures and treatments undergo testing in a small group of people to ensure proper administration.

  Phase II: This step provides preliminary information about the efficacy of a new procedure or treatment and also gives data about safety and benefits.

  Phase III: This phase tests new procedures and treatments with current available treatments.

There are various methods for testing new procedures, treatments, and drugs. In randomized clinical trials, participants are assigned to either an investigational or control arm of the trial by random number tables or computer programs to ensure that all groups are comparable based on age and gender. Randomized trials are usually "blinded" to remove further biases. In a single-blinded clinical trial, participants are unaware of which group they have been assigned to until the conclusion of the study. In double-blinded clinical trials, neither the participants nor the scientists are aware of which group participants have been placed in until the study is over.

Participants who wish to be a part of mesothelioma clinical trials must be eligible according to specific criteria, which varies depending on the trial to ensure that the study results are reliable. Eligibility criteria for mesothelioma clinical trials usually include age, stage of the cancer, date of last treatment, and more.

Participating in mesothelioma clinical trials offer both benefits and risks. Some of the benefits of mesothelioma clinical trial participation include: that p atients are given access to new treatments before they are publicly available, they are contributing to cancer research, and they are receiving health care by the top physicians in the field.

However, clinical trials may involve risks of unknown adverse side effects, may provide treatment that is ineffective or less effective than current treatment, and more. If you are interested in participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial, it is important to consult with your doctor.

There are a number of mesothelioma clinical trials currently underway to test new procedures and drug treatments including:

  Phase III randomized study of Vorinostat - Compares the survival rate of progressive or advanced pleural mesothelioma patients treated with new drug Vorinostat to those taking a placebo.

  Phase II randomized study of combination drug treatments - Compares response rates in advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma patients treated with a combination of pemetrexed disodium with either gemcitabine or carboplatin.

  Phase I study of combination drug treatments in patients with solid tumors - Purpose of this trial is to find a safe and effective dosage of Cetuximab with Tarceva to treat mesothelioma patients with solid tumors.

For more information about current mesothelioma drug trials, please visit the National Cancer Institute or contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney FREE of charge.

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