Many of those diagnosed with mesothelioma wonder what treatment options are available for them. In some cases, patients are willing to try cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials, such as gene therapy.
Gene therapy is an experimental treatment that uses genes to treat or prevent diseases like mesothelioma. Instead of using drugs or surgery, doctors insert a gene into a patient’s cells. Ultimately, gene therapy can work to change the genetic code that predisposes cells to become cancerous.
There are different types of gene therapy, including knockout gene therapy and replacement gene therapy. Knockout gene therapy fights mesothelioma by assaulting the genes prone to tumors and preventing them from forming. Replacement gene therapy replaces a damaged or missing gene with a normal gene that regulates cell growth and division and suppresses tumor growth.
While there are many treatment options available to help patients manage pain and prolong their lives, there is currently no cure for mesothelioma. Those diagnosed with the cancer are usually given 1 to 2 years to live. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have medical and legal options. Reach out to a medical professional as well as a mesothelioma attorney to find out what they are.