The promising results of the NERO trial, showcasing a targeted drug that may improve survival rates for mesothelioma patients. Hope is on the horizon!
The findings of the NERO clinical trial were presented at the American Association of Cancer Research Conference at the end April and offer potential hope to mesothelioma patients.
For the first time, researchers have shown that a targeted drug that prevents cancer cells from repairing can slow the rate of growth and improve survival.
In the UK around 2,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer invariably linked to asbestos exposure, each year.
The trial
At present, in patients where initial treatment is unsuccessful, there are very few treatment options available with only five percent of patients surviving for five years or more post diagnosis.
The NERO trial was run by researchers at the University of Leicester and the Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and funded by the charity Asthma+Lung UK. The trial looked at a class of drugs called PARP inhibitors which work by blocking the repair of damaged DNA cells, causing the cancer cells to die.
In total, 88 patients whose treatment had stopped working took part in the NERO trial in 11 hospitals across the UK.
Those given a PARP inhibitor called niraparib were found to have a 27% reduction in the risk of the cancer progressing or death. This delayed the worsening of mesothelioma by an average of 1.5 months compared to those receiving treatments currently available on the NHS. Some patients had a much longer period of progression free survival.
Whilst this may seem small, it is a significant step forward for patients whose treatment options are limited and prognosis is poor; potentially giving patients more time with their loved ones.
Next steps
Researchers involved in the NERO trial are now analysing samples and genetic biomarkers to explore how this treatment could be tailored and enhanced to stimulate an even better response in more patients.
It is hoped that the results of the NERO trial will result in more personalised medicine in the future, better treatment options and increased survival for mesothelioma patients.
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