Mesothelioma Blog

As the limitations of traditional tools used to battle mesothelioma become more apparent, researchers are turning to new technologies in order to provide hope for the suffers of malignant mesothelioma.

The newest tools in testing for mesothelioma therapy are therapeutic ribonucleases (RNAses). This experimental mesothelioma therapy targets cancer at the RNA level.

Both normal cells and cancerous cells contain RNA. The complex chemical regulates a host of cellular activity, including genetic expression and growth. RNAses materials selectively target the RNA of tumor cells while largely ignoring normal cells. Once the therapeutic biochemicals insinuate themselves in the cell, they react with the cell’s RNA and trigger cell death.

Currently, the leader in RNA mesothelioma therapy is Alfacell, a New Jersey company. Alfacell has an RNAse product derived from leopard frogs in Phase III clinical trials. In July 2008, the company released data showing that RNAses also act synergistically with other mesothelioma treatments, greatly expanding the treatment possibilities for this emerging technology.

Researchers at Quintessence Biotech in Wisconsin are working on a genetically engineered RNAse, QBI-139. Early reports show the genetically engineered RNAse to have a lower potential for causing allergic reactions. QBI-139 is expected to complete Phase I clinical trials in 2009.

Successfully fighting mesothelioma and other cancers requires striking a balance between destroying the cancerous cells while doing the least harm to healthy tissue. The latest generation of mesothelioma medicines promises to eclipse the performance of radiation therapy and chemo therapy by zeroing in on cancerous tissue. As clinical trials of RNAses advance, mesothelioma victims may have reason to hope.