New Drug Quadruples Survival Rates for Aggressive Form of Cancer, Scientists Say
In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Queen Mary University of London have announced the discovery of a new drug that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of a hard-to-treat and aggressive form of cancer. This new treatment has been found to “quadruple” three-year survival rates and increase average survival by 1.6 months. Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and is usually linked to asbestos exposure, has seen little progress in treatment options over the past two decades. However, this new drug, which works by cutting off the tumor’s food supply, is the first of its kind for mesothelioma in 20 years.
The study, led by Professor Peter Szlosarek at Queen Mary, involved administering chemotherapy every three weeks for up to six cycles to all patients. Half of the patients were also given injections of the new drug, ADI-PEG20 (pegargiminase), while the other half received a placebo for two years. The trial, known as the ATOMIC-meso trial and sponsored by Polaris Pharmaceuticals, included 249 patients with pleural mesothelioma, with an average age of 70, and was conducted at 43 centers across five countries from 2017 to 2021.
The results of the study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, revealed that patients who received pegargiminase and chemotherapy survived for an average of 9.3 months, compared to 7.7 months for those who had the placebo and chemotherapy. The researchers also noted that the average “progression-free survival” was 6.2 months with pegargiminase-chemotherapy compared to 5.6 months among patients who had the placebo and chemotherapy.
Professor Szlosarek explained that this is the first successful combination of chemotherapy with a drug that targets cancer’s metabolism developed for mesothelioma in 20 years. The drug works by depleting arginine levels in the bloodstream, which is crucial for the growth of tumor cells that lack a protein called ASS1. By targeting this vulnerability, the new drug effectively thwarts the growth of these cells.
The significance of this breakthrough cannot be overstated. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease with a low survival rate, and current treatment options are limited. The discovery of ADI-PEG20 offers hope to patients and their families, providing them with another much-needed treatment option. Dr. Tayyaba Jiwani, science engagement manager at Cancer Research UK, which funded the early stages of the research, emphasized the power of discovery research in uncovering vulnerabilities that can be targeted with new treatments like ADI-PEG20.
Liz Darlison, chief executive of the charity Mesothelioma UK, expressed pride in the ATOMIC-meso trial and its potential to improve the lives of those affected by mesothelioma. She looks forward to seeing this treatment become available as a standard option for all patients in the future.
The development of this new drug is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of scientists like Professor Szlosarek, who have been working tirelessly for years to find better treatment options for mesothelioma. Their efforts have paid off, and their discovery brings hope to countless individuals battling this aggressive form of cancer.
As further research and clinical trials are conducted, it is hoped that ADI-PEG20 will become widely available and provide a lifeline for mesothelioma patients worldwide. The future looks brighter for those affected by this devastating disease, thanks to the groundbreaking work of these scientists at Queen Mary University of London.
