November 9, 2021 Even though this was certainly not the best year, some surprising good news has emerged – the first new mesothelioma treatment approved by the FDA in 16 years, giving the world some optimism. Mesothelioma is often a grim diagnosis due to the late stage of disease by the time symptoms manifest. But new ways to treat those symptoms provide a sense of hope for those who are suffering.
The Food and Drug Administration announced approval for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer caused by asbestos. Findings show this treatment combination has improved the overall survival of patients. These drugs will potentially change the lives of the 20,000 Americans diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma each year.
The two drugs are administered together to decrease tumor growth by enhancing the function of T-cells. T-cells play a vital role in a functional and effective immune system. Improving the immune system has proved successful in treating mesothelioma and prolonging the life of patients. Those treated with chemotherapy alone lived for a median of 14.1 months versus patients treated with the newly approved treatment combination who survived for 18.1 months. When the prognosis gives patients a matter of months to live – certainly not much time at all – increasing their survival by an additional four months allows patients to have a little more time with their loved ones. In this scenario, the duo drug treatment improves outcomes by almost 30%, which cannot be discounted.
This progress does not come without a cost — there are side effects, of course. Some of the common side effects of Opdivo in combination with Yervoy include rash, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, difficulty breathing, cough, itching, and nausea. Additionally, Yervoy can cause inflammation in otherwise healthy organs, including the colon, lungs, liver, kidneys, and endocrine glands. However, the relatively good news is that the side effects of Opdivo in combination with Yervoy are not as intense as those associated with chemotherapy.
This particular combination of drugs is approved specifically for those with unresectable pleural mesothelioma. Unresectable is a medical term that simply refers to cancerous tumors that cannot be removed by surgery. Most mesothelioma cases diagnosed in later stages of the cancer are inoperable. For patients with unresectable mesothelioma or inoperable tumors, the median survival rate is incredibly low at approximately 9 to 12 months. Patients in this high-risk category who receive the new treatment can double the amount of time they have, which is a significant milestone. Although this is still not a cure, it is certainly promising news. Mesothelioma patients should always speak with their doctors before starting any new treatments, procedures, or medications to determine the best approach for the patient’s specific needs.
