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Featured Clinical Trials

Cancer Studies Highlighted in the NCI Cancer Bulletin
  • Posted: 07/05/2005

Chemotherapy and Biological Therapy for Advanced Mesothelioma

Name of the Trial

Phase II Randomized Study of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin With or Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma (UCCRC-11046A). See the protocol summary 1.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Hedy Kindler, University of Chicago Cancer Research Center.

Dr. Hedy Kindler
Dr. Hedy Kindler
Principal Investigator

Why This Trial Is Important

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs, the heart, or the abdomen (the pleura, pericardium, or peritoneum). If diagnosed at the earliest stage, mesothelioma can be cured by surgery and treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, advanced mesothelioma is usually inoperable and is rarely curable.

In this study, researchers are adding a biological agent called bevacizumab (Avastin®) to chemotherapy to see if it can help delay the progression of mesothelioma in patients with advanced disease. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In mesothelioma, VEGF may stimulate both tumor cell growth and the formation of tumor blood vessels.

"Bevacizumab has shown promise in several other types of cancer, and we hope that it will be particularly effective against mesothelioma because VEGF plays such a prominent role in the growth of this disease," said Dr. Kindler. "Additionally, bevacizumab works synergistically with chemotherapy, so combining these treatments may yield better results than either chemotherapy or biological therapy alone."

"Because mesothelioma is an orphan disease, there often isn't the incentive to pursue new therapies for it, so we are very pleased that the NCI is supporting such a study," Dr. Kindler added.

Contact Information

This clinical trial is closed to further patient accrual. To find other clinical trials for mesothelioma, search the NCI's database of clinical trials 2 or call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The call is toll free and completely confidential.

Related Pages



Glossary Terms

bevacizumab (beh-vuh-SIH-zoo-mab)
A drug used to treat glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and certain types of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bevacizumab binds to a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called Avastin.
monoclonal antibody (MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee)
A type of protein made in the laboratory that can bind to substances in the body, including tumor cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies. Each monoclonal antibody is made to find one substance. Monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat some types of cancer and are being studied in the treatment of other types. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive materials directly to a tumor.
protein (PROH-teen)
A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.
vascular endothelial growth factor (VAS-kyoo-ler EN-doh-THEE-lee-ul grothe FAK-ter)
A substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation. Also called VEGF.

Table of Links

1http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/UCCRC-11046A
2http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search
3http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/malignantmesothelioma