Options of treatment for mesotelioma - the Immunotherapy
The Immunotherapy is based on the theory that is possible to mobilize inmunodefensas of the same body against the cancerous cells.
There are several new experimantales treatments that try to increase the capacity of the immunological system to fight mesotelioma vitiates. These include the geneoterapia and the use of the proteins citoquines such as the interferons and interleuquin-2. Also these treatments in combination with other treatments are trying on such as the quimoterapia.
The Geneoterapia:
This it is a relatively new treatment that is at the moment in the stage of the clinical tests. Using a adenovirus for the delivery, gene with suicidal tendencies” in the tumor is introduced directly “. This gene causes that the cells are sensible to a drug like glanciclovir, that does not give good results generally. The treatment with the drug soon destroys only the cancerous cells that are being divided quickly, leaving the healthful cells peacefully.
In theory, this method allows that the treatment attacks the tumor specifically, unlike a treatment like the quimoterapia, that kills healthful cells.
Investigations in the University are becoming of Pennsylvania with the Dr. Steven Albenda like main investigator.
The Citoquines - Inferones and Interleuquines:
Citoquines is proteins similar to hormones and provides specific effects on the behavior of other cells. In 1976, the Dr. Robert Rooster (later Director of the Institute of the Cancer, and famous by its work with AIDS) isolated a citoquínica protein molecule that is called interleuquin-2 (IL2) and that can stimulate the production of the cells of the immunological system which cells-t are called. Sometimes one says “Killer Cells to them” because they look for the malignant cells or the cells infected with a virus, kill and them. The IL2 use as treatment for mesotelioma pleural still is in the experimantales stages, but the investigators hope that the intrapleural injections of IL2 cause significant a carcinogen answer.
For more information on interleuquines and mesotelioma, the following abstract ones are available in the network:
“The intrapleural administration of interleuquin-2 for the treatment of the patients who suffer of mesotelioma pleural vitiates: “A study of Phase II,” Cancer, nov. 15, 1998, 83 (10): 2099-104
“Persistent Geneológica Expression of Vaccinia Virus 2 (VV-IL2) in mesotelioma vitiates (MM) in spite of evidences of anti-viral immunity”: http://www.thoracic.org.au/meeting/P70.html
“The effects of interleuquin-2 for the treatment mesotelioma vitiates,” Oncol Rep, Sea-Apr 1998, 5 (2): 489-92
The interferons also are natural citoquínicas proteins, but they inhibit the growth of the malignant cells besides fortifying the normal immunological system.
Like interleuquines, these stimulators of the immunological system are under clinical test to see if they help to normally increase the reaction of the body which mesotelioma is a very resistant evil -.
For more information on the interferon and mesotelioma, the following abstract ones are available in the network: “Weekly Combinations of cisplatin and interferon alfa2a in mesotelioma pleural vitiates diffuse,” Pulmonal Cancer, nov 1998, 22 (2): 119-25
“The cellular growth in humans of mesotelioma vitiates: activation of the janus kinase 2 and traslador of signals and activator of transcription 1alpha for the inhibition by interferon-gamma,” Cancer Head of cattle, feb 15 1998, 58 (4): 840-7
National institute of Cáncer (NCI) abstract of clinical test (interferon alpha, cisplatin, surgery and x-ray)