Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that forms in the lining of internal organs, most often the lungs. Because it takes 10-50 years to show symptoms, mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it’s already spread.
However, a May 2024 review by the University of Bristol Medical School highlighted significant advances in mesothelioma care over the past 5 years after a long period of little progress.
The research team focused on three key areas:
- Changes in disease classification and development
- New methods for diagnosing mesothelioma
- Recent improvements in mesothelioma treatment
These efforts are helping doctors and scientists gain a deeper understanding of mesothelioma and find better ways to manage it. Keep reading to learn more about the latest updates in mesothelioma treatment for 2024.
1. Changes in Mesothelioma Classification
As part of their review, researchers looked at new ways to classify pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the cancer that forms in the lung lining (pleura). Distinguishing between different types of mesothelioma allows doctors to more accurately understand the specific condition and select the most effective therapies for each patient.
Here are the new classifications reviewed in the recent study:
- Diffuse Mesothelioma. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its classification of malignant (cancerous) mesothelioma to diffuse mesothelioma, a type of cancer that spreads widely throughout the affected tissue.
- Localized Pleural Mesothelioma. This refers to a single, removable tumor that hasn’t spread, unlike diffuse mesothelioma.
- Mesothelioma in Situ (MIS). This early stage involves abnormal cell growth on the lung lining without visible tumors. MIS often leads to repeated pleural effusion (excess fluid around the lungs).
- Benign Asbestos Pleural Effusion (BAPE). In about 16% of cases, BAPE turns into pleural mesothelioma. However, it is still unclear who is at risk and how this happens. An ongoing clinical trial called MESO-Origins is attempting to identify genetic signs that can cause BAPE to advance into mesothelioma.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or needs a second opinion, use our Free Doctor Match service to connect with the right specialist.
2. New Mesothelioma Diagnosis Techniques
The gold standard test used to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is taken from the affected area and examined under a microscope to look for cancerous cells.
Efforts to improve mesothelioma biopsy techniques have shown promising results:
- CT-guided biopsies are now 93% accurate.
- PET-CT-guided biopsies are now 81% accurate.
- Thoracic ultrasound (TUS)-guided biopsies are now 84% accurate.
While these biopsy techniques can sometimes lead to complications, top mesothelioma doctors will do everything they can to limit them.
Because mesothelioma cells spread unevenly, up to 25% of patients receive false-negative results from biopsies. This is why it’s vital to get a second opinion to confirm your diagnosis.
Integrating Mesothelioma Breath Testing
Researchers are turning to breath testing as a promising non-invasive method to screen for mesothelioma.
By measuring specific compounds in the breath, doctors hope to diagnose mesothelioma earlier on and monitor how patients respond to treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Having a safe and effective method to test for this cancer could be truly life-changing for asbestos victims.
AI Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being developed to analyze imaging scans and distinguish between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant pleural diseases.
Similar to a radiologist, AI can measure tumor volume and tell the difference between sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma (the most aggressive cell type) and non-cancerous cell growths. This could be very helpful in cases where it’s hard to make a definitive diagnosis.
Although AI is not yet routine, it shows potential for improving diagnosis and treatment planning and will likely become more common in the future.
3. Latest Developments in Mesothelioma Treatment
Recent research has challenged traditional approaches to mesothelioma treatment, leading to new insights.
For example, some studies have found mesothelioma surgery may no longer be the best option:
- Data from the MARS clinical trial showed that extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) often led to poorer survival outcomes and increased health risks.
- The MARS 2 trial found patients who got an extended pleurectomy with decortication (EPD) had more complications, higher costs, poorer quality of life, and shorter survival than those who received chemotherapy.
Although more research is needed, these results suggest that less invasive treatments may be more effective than surgery in certain cases of pleural mesothelioma.
“We can still offer surgery, but we have to be extremely selective and make sure patients understand that it may not add more lifespan as compared to chemotherapy or immunotherapy alone.”
Immunotherapy as a New Standard of Care
Historically, chemotherapy has been the standard treatment for pleural mesothelioma. However, the CheckMate 743 study showed that dual immunotherapy with nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®) is more effective.
Now, the combination of Opdivo and Yervoy is the preferred first-line (initial) treatment for many cases of pleural mesothelioma, with patients experiencing overall survival of 18.1 months compared to 14.1 months with chemotherapy. After 3 years, 23% of the patients treated with immunotherapy were still alive, compared to 15% for the chemotherapy group.
Immunotherapy has also shown promise as a follow-up treatment, offering hope to patients who haven’t responded to chemotherapy.
Learn more about immunotherapy in our Free Immunotherapy Guide. This new treatment has helped many patients, and it could work for you too.
Get Help Accessing New Mesothelioma Treatments
At Mesothelioma Hope, we have a team of experienced advocates who specialize in helping patients, families, and caregivers get the support they need.
Our team can help you or a loved one:
- Confirm your diagnosis with a second opinion
- Find top mesothelioma specialists in your area
- Manage everyday life with a cancer diagnosis
- Secure financial compensation for travel and medical bills
- Understand your treatment options and side effects
“Having your own form of support is critical. Making sure patients don’t feel alone during their treatment journey is also important.”
Contact our Patient Advocates now. We’re here to answer your questions and provide support in any way we can.