Clinical Trial begins on New Mesothelioma Treatment Drug

Earlier this week Morphotek, Inc. began Phase II of a study to evaluate the effectiveness of an antibody used to stop the growth of mesothelin, a protein produced in tumors of mesothelioma patients.

The biopharmaceutical company is looking into MORAb-009 monoclonal antibody and assessing what the drug can accomplish if combined with chemotherapy drugs Peretrxed and Cisplatin. The hopes are to sustain progression-free survival for those suffering from advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, both pleural and peritoneal, is caused by an exposure to the naturally occurring mineral asbestos. When the airborne fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged into the soft tissue of the lungs. Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of other diseases including asbestosis. For all asbestos-related illnesses the long latency period makes it difficult to diagnose until the latest stages.

Around 86 patients are expected to participate in the international study. Participation is only available to those who have locally advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma and have not yet received treatment.

The antibody, MORAb-009, works to block the function of mesothelin which is believed to be the cause of advanced growth and metastasis in mesothelioma tumors. In theory, the drug will work to block mesothelin’s ability to produce, as well as stimulate the immune system to attack the tumor. Dr. Martian D. Phillips, Chief Medical Officer of Morphotek, Inc., hopes that for the two to three thousand people diagnosed with mesothelioma annually in the U. S., the clinical trial may act as a lifeline to a disease that currently has no cure.