Researchers are testing a new drug combination for patients with mesothelioma that cannot be treated with surgery. The treatment pairs standard chemotherapy with a promising new medicine called BNT327/PM8002.
This experimental drug is designed to help the immune system target cancer cells while also blocking the blood supply tumors need to grow. In an early-phase clinical trial involving 31 patients with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, more than half saw their tumors shrink, and over 90% had their tumors either shrink or stop growing for a period of time.
“The results presented are scientifically meaningful despite the small sample size.”
– OncLive
While more research is needed to confirm the long-term safety and effectiveness of this treatment, these early results offer hope for a new option in the fight against this aggressive cancer.
What Is BNT327/PM8002, and How Does It Work?
BNT327/PM8002 is a type of immunotherapy being tested as a treatment for mesothelioma. It’s designed to target two different proteins that help mesothelioma grow and hide from the immune system: PD-L1 and VEGF-A.
- PD-L1 is a protein that some tumors use to “turn off” immune cells. By blocking PD-L1, BNT327/PM8002 helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- VEGF-A is a protein that tumors use to grow new blood vessels and get nutrients. Blocking VEGF-A can slow or stop tumor growth by cutting off their blood supply.
By targeting both of these proteins at the same time, BNT327/PM8002 aims to boost the body’s immune response and limit the tumor’s ability to grow. It’s given along with standard chemotherapy in hopes of making treatment more effective for people with advanced pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.
Most patients did experience side effects, which is expected with chemotherapy. Some common side effects included low blood counts, nausea, and protein in the urine. Serious side effects happened in about one-third of patients, but no one died from treatment-related causes.
Even though this was a small study, the early results are promising and suggest this drug could become part of future mesothelioma treatment plans.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about treatment options, top doctors, and compensation available for medical care.
About the BNT327 Clinical Trial Results: What It Means for You
Early results from the BNT327 clinical trial are encouraging for those with mesothelioma cancer that can’t be treated with surgery.
The findings indicate that BNT327/PM8002 may be particularly effective in treating peritoneal mesothelioma, which showed a higher tumor response rate compared to pleural mesothelioma.
The study yielded many key takeaways:
- New hope for treatment: This drug combination may offer a new option for people with mesothelioma that can’t be treated with surgery.
- Better results for some: Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma responded particularly well, showing higher rates of tumor shrinkage and disease control. Patients with pleural mesothelioma saw less dramatic, but still meaningful, results.
- Stronger response: Over half of mesothelioma patients had tumor shrinkage, and 100% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients saw their tumors either shrink or stop growing.
- Manageable side effects: Side effects were common and in many cases serious, but no treatment-related deaths were reported. Most were manageable with dose adjustments or supportive care.
- Still in testing but showing promise: BNT327/PM8002 is still being studied and has not yet been approved. More research is needed to confirm its benefits in larger and more diverse groups. Still, this study marks real progress in the search for better mesothelioma treatments.
While BNT327/PM8002 is still in clinical trials, it may eventually become part of a more effective treatment plan for mesothelioma. If you or a loved one is facing this disease, ask your mesothelioma doctor whether a clinical trial could be a good fit for you.
Find Mesothelioma Treatment Near You
Mesothelioma Hope’s team of Patient Advocates can help patients and their families understand their treatment options and get connected with top specialists.
Doctors may wish to pursue a combination of treatments, like:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation
Contact us now. We’ll walk you through your options ahead of time so you can get the most out of your appointments.
