Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Scientists have been trying to find a novel approach for treating mesothelioma that’s more effective than traditional cancer treatments for years.  One of the areas of research they are closely examining is immunotherapy.  This type of mesothelioma treatment in effect “tricks” the body’s own immune system into recognizing mesothelioma cells as a threat and eradicating them.  Several methods of immunotherapy have been used to treat various other diseases but, as yet, very few have been used in combatting mesothelioma. 

Until now, the predominant immunotherapy approach toward treating mesothelioma has been to either “paint” mesothelioma cells with specific markers the immune system can identify, or to boost the immune system so it can work more effectively.  However, a new branch of research from scientists in Australia calls those methods into question.

In fact, scientists Down Under believe that by suppressing the body’s natural defense it may be easier to treat mesothelioma.

By turning off the immune system’s regulatory T-cells, researchers have been able to decrease the rates at which mesothelioma tumors grow.  This runs contrary to traditional thinking because T-Cells (or T-reg cells) are released in high quantities once the immune system detects a threat, such as a cancerous growth, and are supposed to combat these foreign bodies.

However, by decreasing the number of T-cells in the bloodstream, doctors can make more effective use of chemotherapy. 

Researchers are quick to warn that completely disabling the immune system would be disastrous.  They recommend as best practice a delicate balance which is created by strictly regulating the production of T-cells through chemical controls.  By timing dosage of the T-cell inhibitors, scientist can achieve a greater measure of success.

While this new research doesn’t present a cure, or even a stand-alone treatment, any advance in fighting this invariably lethal form of cancer is a welcome addition to a doctor’s arsenal.

Even though new methods for treating asbestos cancer have been in the testing phases for decades, doctors still rely primarily upon a trimodal approach which includes traditional mesothelioma treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.  These methods are costly, time consuming, and have extreme debilitating side effects on the patients – not something easily overlooked when they still cannot cure the disease. 

However, by understanding just how the immune system responds to mesothelioma, and how it can be manipulated to improve treatments, doctors may be able to prolong patients’ lifespans past the near-universal 5-year mark.  Until then, patients and doctors alike await every new breakthrough with baited breath.