National Cancer Research Month is observed each May to highlight the importance of ongoing studies for mesothelioma and other cancers.
Many families across the country are affected by mesothelioma, and continued research is needed to identify better ways to diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure this disease.
May Is National Cancer Research Month
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) established this monthly observance to raise awareness of the impact cancer research has on people around the world. This year’s theme is “United by Cancer Research,” which reflects how patients, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and advocates all help move cancer research forward.
Around 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, making it one of the rarest forms of cancer. Because symptoms usually don’t appear until the disease has already spread, research remains especially important for improving early detection and expanding treatment options.
Still, recent advances are giving many mesothelioma patients more hope than ever before. Researchers are developing new therapies, improving diagnostic tools, and finding better ways to help patients live longer with a better quality of life.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn about treatments that could help you or a loved one live longer.
Why Mesothelioma Research Is So Important
National Cancer Research Month 2026 highlights the important progress being made to better manage cancers like mesothelioma.
A big part of this progress comes from clinical trials, where doctors test new treatments to see how safe and effective they are.
Mesothelioma clinical trials help:
- Continue the search for a cure
- Discover new ways to diagnose and treat this cancer
- Improve the prognosis (health outlook) of more patients
- Refine standard treatments and tests
“Things have improved somewhat, but not as much as I would like. That’s why we continue to do research — to try and make the treatment better. The rate of research is accelerating substantially.”
The AACR notes that approximately 18.6 million cancer survivors are living in the United States today, thanks in part to continued advances in research and treatment.
3 of the Biggest Breakthroughs in Mesothelioma Research
Even though mesothelioma is rare, research in 2026 is moving faster than it has in decades. New treatment breakthroughs, including immunotherapy combinations and proton therapy, are giving many patients more treatment options and more hope.
Below are some of the biggest mesothelioma research developments doctors and researchers are watching.
1. Immunotherapy Continues to Improve Survival
Mesothelioma immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Over the last several years, this type of treatment has changed the outlook for many patients with advanced disease.
Researchers continue to build on the success of Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab), which became the first immunotherapy combination approved specifically for mesothelioma in 2020.
In 2026, follow-up data from the CheckMate-743 study showed that 14% of patients receiving nivolumab plus ipilimumab were still alive after 5 years, compared with 6% of patients who received chemotherapy alone. For patients with non-epithelioid mesothelioma, the difference was even more significant, with 5-year survival improving from about 1% to 12%.
Researchers are also continuing to study Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) with chemotherapy after the combination received FDA approval in 2024. Results from the KEYNOTE-483 trial showed this treatment protocol successfully shrank or controlled tumors in 62% of patients.
Download our Free Immunotherapy Guide to learn more about this treatment.
2. New Treatments Are Expanding Options
Researchers continue to investigate new mesothelioma treatments that could help improve patient life expectancy.
Notable emerging mesothelioma treatments include:
- CAR T-cell therapy: Researchers are studying newer KIR-CAR treatments designed to reduce side effects. Early results from a University of Pennsylvania-led trial presented in April 2026 showed signs of tumor response in some mesothelioma patients.
- Gene therapy: This changes the genes of mesothelioma cells, making them easier to destroy. A new gene therapy, Reqorsa®, showed encouraging results in a preclinical study, giving hope for its use in treating mesothelioma and lung cancer.
- Photodynamic therapy: Mesothelioma cells are exposed to medication that makes them sensitive to light. Researchers noted that using immunotherapy made photodynamic therapy more effective for mesothelioma in a Cancer Research Communications study.
- Proton therapy: Unlike traditional radiation, proton therapy may better protect healthy tissue around the lungs and chest while still effectively targeting tumors. Researchers are studying proton therapy in trials like HIT-MESO to see whether it can improve outcomes and reduce side effects for mesothelioma patients.
More than 50 mesothelioma clinical trials are actively recruiting patients as of May 2026, reflecting how quickly research in this field continues to grow.
3. Diagnostic Tools Are Becoming More Advanced
Outside of new treatments, cancer research also studies ways to more effectively diagnose mesothelioma. If a mesothelioma diagnosis is made before the cancer spreads, patients may be eligible for a wider range of treatments.
One promising development is cryobiopsy, which uses freezing technology to collect tissue samples from the lining around the lungs. A study in Lung Cancer noted how cryobiopsy could help diagnose pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Researchers are also studying newer blood tests and liquid biopsy technology that may help detect mesothelioma and track treatment response with less invasive procedures.
Artificial intelligence tools may help doctors review imaging scans and biopsy samples more accurately. Advances in genetic and biomarker testing are helping connect some patients with mesothelioma treatments and clinical trials that may be a better fit for their cancer.
How to Participate in National Cancer Research Month 2026
You and your family can play a vital part in advocating for more research into mesothelioma and other cancers.
You can get involved by:
- Donating to organizations: The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization are just two of many groups that directly support mesothelioma research.
- Joining a clinical trial: Ask your mesothelioma doctor if there are clinical trials that could help you or a loved one. Participating in a clinical trial may give you access to new therapies and help further the medical community’s understanding of this cancer.
- Raising awareness: Because mesothelioma is so rare, it’s important to spread the word about it and encourage others to support research efforts.
Any way you choose to participate, no matter how small, will make an impact during National Cancer Research Month.
Get Help Accessing New Mesothelioma Treatments
Thanks to diagnostic and treatment options currently being studied, patients may live longer, experience fewer symptoms, and find hope.
At Mesothelioma Hope, we closely follow the latest cancer research breakthroughs so we can help as many families as possible.
Our Patient Advocates can connect you with:
- Skilled doctors and cancer centers in your area
- New mesothelioma treatments and clinical trials
- Support groups and peer mentor programs
- Financial assistance for medical expenses
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide or call (866) 608-8933 to see how we can assist you or a loved one.
