A phase 1 clinical trial at select mesothelioma cancer centers will test the effectiveness and safety of an oral medication for malignant mesothelioma. The therapy is called VT3989.
The medication blocks proteins that help tumors grow. Examples of these proteins are vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), which play a significant role in normal bodily functions, such as bone formation, wound healing and development. For cancer, VEGF stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, which provides nutrients to help tumors grow and multiply.
Certain therapies can block VEGF from supplying blood vessels to tumors, cutting off oxygen supply and causing cancer cells to suffocate and die.
Another example of tumor-aiding proteins is epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), which are involved in different parts of cancer growth such as tumor initiation and spread.
Information About the VT3989 Clinical Trial
Participants of the study must have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and a mutation in the NF2 gene. Not all cases of mesothelioma have this genetic mutation.
The mutation is linked to proteins that VT3989 can block. The therapy hopefully will slow or stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking the proteins.
An interesting aspect of the trial is the therapy is taken orally rather than the standard injection into the bloodstream. The FDA-approved immunotherapies for mesothelioma are all given by injection.
The clinical trial is being hosted at:
- University of Chicago Medical Center
- Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Boston)
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas)
There are regular clinical trials for mesothelioma at the top cancer centers in the country. Contact our registered nurse, Karen Ritter, at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com to learn more.
Sources & Author
- Study to Evaluate VT3989 in Patients With Metastatic Solid Tumors Enriched for Tumors With NF2 Gene Mutations. Retrieved from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04665206. Accessed: 10/19/2023.
Sources & Author
