Data from Phase 1 of a clinical trial for a new drug to treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma shows promising results, according to the biopharmaceutical company RS Oncology.
“RSO-021 represents a new class of drugs with a first-in-class anticancer mechanism,” said Brian Cunniff, PhD, Chief Science Officer for RS Oncology, in a press release. “The safety and efficacy observed in the Phase 1 trial is supported by strong pre-clinical rationale.”
RS Oncology presented the Phase I results at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, which ends today.
Weekly treatments of 90 mg of RSO-021, a sulfur-rich drug that kills cells, were well-tolerated by the 15 recruited patients in the study, according to a team of UK investigators. Efficacy data showed a long-term partial response in one patient, encouraging survival in 7 of the 10 evaluable patients.
Phase 2 of the trial is ongoing, with patients receiving two doses of RSO-021 as a single agent and combined with chemotherapy.
What is Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma?
Pleural mesothelioma impacts the membrane around the lungs. It is the most common form of mesothelioma, a malignant cancer. Exposure to asbestos, typically during work in industrial occupations such as construction, plumbing, or factory work, is the only known risk factor for mesothelioma.
The period between asbestos exposure and the development of cancer can be 40 years or longer, although it is more likely to last for 20-40 years.
Once malignant pleural mesothelioma develops, the life expectancy for the patient is 12 to 21 months on average. That period could be longer for younger patients.
Although the survival rate for malignant pleural mesothelioma is low, treatments can extend patients’ lives by a few months and make them more comfortable.
Experimental Treatments Show Promise
Multiple clinical trials, such as the one for R20-021, are underway for experimental treatments for mesothelioma. Some results have been positive, meaning these treatments may become commonplace in the future.
Mesothelioma patients who can’t wait that long can enroll in a clinical trial, but not everyone qualifies for every study. These trials also can be risky, so patients are advised to consult their physician about their options.
The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institute of Health, maintains a database of current mesothelioma clinical trials. This allows patients to find ones that might be right for them.
