Roginolisib (IOA-244) | A Selective Inhibitor for Mesothelioma

For the first time, a new study has provided evidence that supports the use of the novel drug roginolisib (also known as IOA-244) in combination with other treatments for mesothelioma.

The study, published in the May 2024 issue of Translational Oncology, found that roginolisib is effective at stopping mesothelioma growth and strengthening the immune system.

Learn more about the study results and how roginolisib works to fight mesothelioma.

What Is Roginolisib, and How Does It Work?

Roginolisib is an oral medication that targets PI3K-δ. PI3K-δ (phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta) is a protein found in the body’s cells. In some cancers, like pleural mesothelioma (which affects the lung lining), there is too much of PI3K-δ.

PI3K-δ helps mesothelioma cancer spread by making cancer cells grow faster, survive longer, and move more easily to other parts of the body. Because of this, patients with high PI3K-δ expression often have a shorter life expectancy.

Mesothelioma patients with high PI3K-δ expression have an average life expectancy of 12 months compared to 25 months for patients with low PI3K-δ expression.

The study team found that roginolisib:

Blocks PI3K-δ to stop mesothelioma cells from growing and spreading
Helps the immune system better fight cancer
Makes mesothelioma treatment more effective by attacking the cancer from multiple angles

Use our Free Doctor Match service to find mesothelioma specialists in your area who can determine the best treatments to improve your life expectancy.

Study Highlights: Can Roginolisib Help Manage Mesothelioma?

Roginolisib is a promising new therapy for mesothelioma, especially for patients who haven’t seen success with traditional treatments.

The researchers who conducted the study found that roginolisib:

Induces cancer cell death. Roginolisib was found to induce apoptosis, a process that leads to cancer cell death. This is a crucial step in stopping the spread of mesothelioma.
Boosts immune response. The drug also enhances the body’s immune response against cancer. It increases the number of immune cells that attack mesothelioma cells while reducing those that suppress the immune system.
Works well with other treatments. When used in combination with other treatments like the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo®) and cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug), roginolisib showed better results than when any of these treatments were used alone.

While high doses of roginolisib were most effective, the study noted that lower, sustained doses could also be beneficial for patients, especially when combined with other mesothelioma treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Interested in immunotherapy for mesothelioma? Download our Free Immunotherapy Guide to learn how it works and what to expect during treatment.

What the Study Results Mean for Mesothelioma Patients

The 89 pleural mesothelioma patients who participated in the study experienced positive effects from taking roginolisib by itself and combined with other treatments.

Here are some key takeaways:

Combining roginolisib with other cancer-fighting drugs like immune checkpoint inhibitors and cisplatin could offer a more effective treatment regimen, providing improved survival outcomes.
Because roginolisib selectively targets the PI3Kδ enzyme without affecting healthy cells, it may cause fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
The ability of roginolisib to induce cancer cell death and boost the body’s immune response could lead to longer survival times for patients.