New research suggests mesothelioma cells may be killed quicker

We frequently write about the challenges that mesothelioma patients face. This condition can be painful, debilitating and even fatal. Thankfully, certain treatments can improve the prognosis of certain patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. For example, some patients benefit from drug therapies, others from surgery, others from chemotherapy and others may benefit from a combination of these treatments.

Recently, international researchers determined that combining a certain compound with a specific immunosuppressant may help to make chemotherapy more successful for mesothelioma patients in particular. Their conclusions are based on lab tests and have yet to be confirmed in human patients. However, the research is promising and is therefore worth noting.

Specifically, Turkish researchers found that when they combine the immunosuppressant RAD001 with the compound EF24, the resulting reaction aids in successfully killing mesothelioma cells. EF24 is a compound which is chemically similar to tumeric’s yellow pigment. For whatever reason, combining this compound with a specific immunosuppressant creates a uniquely destructive reaction in regards to mesothelioma cells while remaining inert in regards to healthy cells.

The study’s lead author explained this reaction another way when he noted recently that, “Our preliminary results suggest that pretreatment with EF24 or RAD001 may reduce the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin on nonmalignant mesothelial cells and increase cell death response of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells.” The researchers even determined that the resulting compound may be less damaging to healthy cells than chemotherapy alone tends to be.

Mesothelioma can be a devastating diagnosis. However, improvements in treatment and the evolution of research focused on this condition may provide reasons for hope in mesothelioma patients.