Sarcomatoid is the least common form of mesothelioma, however it is typically the most aggressive of the three mesothelioma types. Prognosis for sarcomatoid is usually poor because treatment is very difficult. Italian researchers from the University of Salento discovered that the experimental platinum based drug, Ptac2S, was more effective in reducing the spread of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in mice than cisplatin. Cisplatin is the standard chemotherapy treatment used to treat the vast majority of mesothelioma patients.
The researchers published their findings in the journal, Plos|One. The very promising results showed that Ptac2S reduced the growth rate of sarcomatoid cells up to 50 percent and decreased tumor mass by 53 percent. The new findings far outpaced the results for the industry standard cisplatin, which showed just a 12 percent tumor mass reduction. The lead researcher Antonella Muscella wrote, “Results confirm that Ptac2S is a promising therapeutic agent for malignant mesothelioma, giving a substantial starting point for its further validation.”
Ptac2S showed promise in another very important aspect of treatment as well – tolerability. The platinum based drug actually manifested fewer negative side effects when compared to cisplatin. Cisplatin while toxic to cancerous cells can also target healthy cells, leading to severe side effects. Muscella wrote that “During observation time, no health problems were observed [while on Ptac2s] and the overall behaviour was similar to that of the control animals.”
The results showed that Ptac2S was more toxic to cancerous cells than cisplatin while at the same time remaining less toxic than cisplatin to healthy cells. Muscella reported “We conclude by pointing out that Ptac2S is effective in pleural mesothelioma and that these new acquisitions enhance the knowledge of the anti-tumour activity of this compound,”
The Paul Law Firm advocates for victims of asbestos-related diseases. If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma, call the Paul Law Firm. With over 2.5 billion dollars collected for victims of asbestos exposure, we have the knowledge and the experience to fight for you. We also understand that fighting doesn’t just happen in the courtroom. It also happens in a lab where we are fighting for a cure. Check out the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America here.
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