Date: June 14, 2024
Reviewed and edited by: Dave Halpern
Key takeaways: “Multimodal treatments” merge two or more mesothelioma treatments, like chemotherapy and surgery or immunotherapy and radiation. Despite the mediums of multimodal treatments, they’re almost always more effective than stand-alone treatments. Ideally, clinical trials that focus on multimodal treatments (and the treatments themselves) will be prioritized above novel treatment options.
What does “multimodal” mean? So what?
“Multimodal treatment” refers to an approach to both the conceptualization and execution of treatments. In this case, we’re referring to mesothelioma treatments, but the multimodal model has been adopted by other cancer contexts. Multimodal treatments attack mesothelioma from multiple angles. As scientists learn more about mesothelioma—the body systems it affects, how it develops, the reasons that different people have different prognoses—they’re learning about different targets for treatment. For instance, scientists have established that one of the mechanisms of mesothelioma development is a mutation in the BAP1 gene, which codes for a protein that has tumor-suppressant effects. When BAP1 is mutated, people that have been exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. Now that scientists have established a BAP1 mutation as a culminating factor for mesothelioma, they can target it through gene therapy or gene replacement. In addition, they can also target a more “upstream” consequence of the mutation, like surgically removing tumors or administering chemotherapy.
Importantly, the BAP1 example is only one of many ways that mesothelioma is being a.) reconceptualized as a multifaceted (and, consequently, multi-“targetable”) disease; and b.) as a cancer that doesn’t have only one route of treatment.
Are all new treatments multimodal? Should they be?
Most clinical trials are exploring the utility of multimodal treatments, and for good reason. Traditionally, pemetrexed (a chemotherapeutic drug) has been doctors’ go-to treatment. Although relatively effective, the prognosis for mesothelioma patients receiving pemetrexed was still poor. And, with the adverse effects that accompany chemo, scientists have been searching for a viable alternative that guarantees similar—if not better—results.
Clinical trials pioneered chemotherapy and surgery, which was the first attempt at the multimodal model in mesothelioma patients. A 2021 study found that a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation survived for 32 months compared to 10 months for the patients who received chemotherapy alone.
The continual success of multimodal treatments, whether they merge more traditional or experimental treatments, is promising. In some places, multimodal treatments are becoming the standard for mesothelioma care, which up until now has been chemotherapy. Ideally, multimodal treatments will become the norm for mesothelioma patients: an aggressive cancer should be met with aggressive and thorough treatment.
Multimodal treatments in practice
In 2020, the FDA approved the first multimodal approach for mesothelioma patients: Opdivo and Yervoy. These two drugs are immunotherapeutic, meaning that they both work to enhance patients’ normal immune functioning. Importantly, the drugs do this work through different immune pathways and mechanisms, making it an established multimodal therapy.
A 2022 study exploring the use of both surgery and immunotherapy established promising results: patients that received both treatments experienced significantly longer overall survival than groups that received immunotherapy or surgery alone.
Another study published in 2022 tracked patient outcomes from 2010-2020 that received surgery and another form of treatment (either chemotherapy or radiation). The researchers found a significant increase in median survival and five-year survival rates, especially compared with groups that received only one form of treatment.
Multimodal efforts hold serious promise for mesothelioma patients, with more entering the clinical trial phase now than ever.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the experienced team at The Halpern Law Firm can help you file a claim and receive compensation. The dedicated attorneys will ensure your claim is handled properly and quickly. Call 1-(800)-505-6000 or fill out our contact form and we will reach out to you right away.
Sources:
https://www.jchestsurg.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5090/jcs.22.037
https://www.clinical-lung-cancer.com/article/S1525-7304(22)00202-9/fulltext
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169500221001677
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.660039/full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9742626/
