New Mesothelioma Treatment Kills Tumors in 6 Days

Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have developed a groundbreaking cancer treatment that destroyed advanced mesothelioma tumors in mice within only 6 days.

The new therapy combines two powerful tools:

Tiny, implantable beads that produce an immune-activating protein called interleukin 2 (IL-2)
A checkpoint inhibitor drug that helps immune cells recognize and destroy cancer

The beads are implanted near tumors and release IL-2 locally, helping the immune system fight mesothelioma without the usual side effects of immunotherapy.

These cytokine “drug factories” implants killed tumors in more than half of the test mice when used alone. When combined with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, tumors were completely wiped out in all 7 mice.

“We’ve not seen these mesothelioma tumors in mice be eradicated with such efficacy as we have in this mouse model, ” said Dr. Bryan Burt, a thoracic surgeon and study co-lead.

With clinical trials already set for ovarian cancer, clinical testing in mesothelioma patients is expected to follow.

What Is Interleukin-2?

IL-2 is part of a group of immune system proteins called interleukins. These chemical messengers tell immune cells when and where to act.

Interleukin 2 specifically helps “wake up” and direct T cells to attack infected or cancerous cells. It was the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for cancer, but the high doses required caused dangerous side effects when given through the bloodstream.

The new treatment method tested by the Rice-Baylor team solves that problem by delivering IL-2 directly to tumors in much smaller, safer doses.

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Why This New Therapy Matters for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma — especially the pleural type that affects the lining of the lungs — is one of the toughest cancers to treat.

Here’s why this new IL-2 therapy could change that:

Attacks leftover cancer cells: Mesothelioma is hard to remove completely with surgery. This treatment could help kill any remaining cancer by delivering immunotherapy directly into the chest cavity.
Faster, more effective results: In preclinical tests, tumors disappeared within just 6 days — far faster than most current therapies.
Fewer side effects: Because the IL-2 “drug factories” release medication only where it’s needed, patients may avoid the harsh side effects often seen with chemotherapy or full-body immunotherapy.
Improves immune memory: IL-2 therapy may help train the immune system to recognize mesothelioma if there’s a recurrence.

Human trials for the treatment are expected to begin with ovarian cancer later this fall. If successful, mesothelioma could be the next cancer studied in future trials.

Because IL-2 immunotherapy can be delivered using the same chest catheter that many mesothelioma patients already use to drain pleural effusions, it may fit easily into current treatment plans.