A key player in this success story is ADI-PEG20, a drug that destroys cancer cells by depriving them of the amino acid arginine. Mesothelioma cells cannot produce their own arginine, making them particularly vulnerable to this targeted therapy.
The ATOMIC-meso study, which included 249 patients, compared the drug with placebo chemotherapy plus chemotherapy. Combination therapy increased median survival by 1.6 months; This is an important development for this rapidly progressing cancer. More importantly, the four-year survival rate quadrupled with the new treatment, giving patients additional hope.
This is the first successful combination of chemotherapy with a drug targeting cancer metabolism in mesothelioma in two decades. The study paves the way for further investigation of the potential of ADI-PEG20 in other arginine-dependent cancers such as sarcoma and glioblastoma multiforme.
News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.