According to an article in survivingmesothelioma.com, the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Center has been running a clinical trial which could spell exciting news for mesothelioma patients.
MORE: Fingolimod reduces mesothelioma tumor size in mouse models.
A drug used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) called fingolimod (Gilenya) could be used to treat mesothelioma patients. Fingolimod is an immune system modulator (FTY720) which works by blocking white blood cells called lymphocytes from exiting the lymph nodes. (Source: multiplesclerosis.net)
The trial is the first of its kind working specifically on pleural mesothelioma, targeting phosphatase protein 2A (PP2A) in human mesothelioma cells in the laboratory and then later in mouse models. Fingolimod was found to significantly suppress the mesothelioma cells without damaging healthy cells.
The next step for the research team is to conduct a human clinical trial to see if they can replicate the same effect.
MORE: Seven complications of mesothelioma.
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