Pembrolizumab + Radiation for Mesothelioma
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that patients should not receive steroids during pembrolizumab administration, and there are restrictions on recent chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation therapy. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Pembrolizumab + Radiation for Mesothelioma?
Research shows that combining pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) with radiotherapy can enhance the body's immune response against tumors, as seen in studies with other cancers like lung cancer. Additionally, advanced radiotherapy techniques have been effective in treating challenging cases of mesothelioma, providing a progression-free period without significant side effects.12345
Is the combination of Pembrolizumab and Radiation Therapy safe for humans?
Research on stereotactic radiotherapy (a precise form of radiation therapy) combined with immunotherapy (like Pembrolizumab) for brain metastases shows that the timing between treatments can affect safety, but it is generally used as a standard treatment. This suggests that while there may be some risks, the combination is considered safe enough to be used in clinical settings.678910
How is the treatment of Pembrolizumab combined with Radiation Therapy unique for mesothelioma?
This treatment is unique because it combines pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system attack cancer cells, with radiation therapy, which can enhance the immune response against tumors. This combination aims to improve the effectiveness of treatment for mesothelioma, a cancer with limited options after standard chemotherapy.14111213
What is the purpose of this trial?
This phase I trial studies the side effects and best way to give pembrolizumab after radiation therapy in treating patients with pleural malignant mesothelioma. Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving pembrolizumab after radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
Research Team
Matthew S. Ning
Principal Investigator
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults with pleural malignant mesothelioma who've had certain treatments. They must have acceptable blood and organ function, not be pregnant or breastfeeding, agree to use contraception, and have no severe medical conditions or recent live vaccines. Cohort 1 can't have metastatic disease outside the chest except lymph nodes; Cohort 2 can have any number of prior therapies.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Radiation Therapy
Patients undergo either hemithoracic or palliative radiation therapy
Treatment
Patients receive pembrolizumab IV every 3 weeks for up to 2 years
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Palliative Radiation Therapy
- Pembrolizumab
- Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator